STHS Behavioral’s Annual “Chalk the Walk” Suicide Prevention and Awareness Event, Sept. 7th

Mega Doctor News

It may come as a shock, but people of all ages, races and ethnicities, genders and socioeconomic backgrounds think about or attempt suicide in the United States.

In fact, 13.2 million Americans seriously thought about suicide in 2022, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), while 3.8 million made a plan for suicide and 1.6 million attempted suicide.

Sadly, one person dies by suicide in the U.S. every 11 minutes, per the CDC, making it a leading cause of death and a serious public health problem.

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Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to be experiencing a mental illness to think about suicide. And not all people who die by suicide have mental health problems at the time of their death. However, about 90% of people who die by suicide have a mental health disorder such as depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, schizophrenia or substance use disorder, according to Suicide Awareness Voices of Education.

Suicidal behavior is complex and there’s no single reason that causes people to take their own life since several factors and life events can contribute to the decision.

While suicide can be a taboo topic, especially in Hispanic communities like the Rio Grande Valley, people who are struggling or have felt suicidal will often say what a huge relief it was to be able to talk about what they were experiencing, per the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

So, to help raise awareness for suicide prevention in the Valley and let those struggling know they are not alone,South Texas Health System Behavioral will host its third annual Chalk The Walk: Hope & Inspiration Walk on Saturday, September 7, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m., in the facility’s main parking lot.

Following a short program, attendees will be invited to take a walk of remembrance around the STHS Behavioral facility in memory of those lives lost to suicide. Posters of photos of inspirational messages submitted to the facility by local businesses, schools and organizations prior to the event will be placed along the route as a reminder that our mental health matters and we’re not alone. 

Before and after the program and walk, attendees will have an opportunity to embrace their own creativity by “chalking up” the main parking lot and driveways around facility with their own words of comfort and optimism for those who may be struggling. 

“Everyone plays a role in helping prevent suicide. From learning how to identify the warning signs and opening the lines of communication for frank conversations about suicide with those who you suspect may be struggling to creating positive and supportive social relationships and strong community connections, we can all help save precious lives by dampening the effects of risk factors in people’s lives,” says Tom Castaneda, System Director of Marketing & Public Relations, South Texas Health System. “STHS Behavioral’s Chalk the Walk event presents a wonderful opportunity to connect as a community by bringing Valley residents together to help spread the important message that you are not alone. No matter where you turn, there are people willing to lend an ear and a hand to help you through a difficult time. Every year, this event demonstrates that in spades!”

In addition to the walk of remembrance and chalk messaging activities, the event will also feature a “You Are Not Alone” community fair which will highlight local organizations and resources available to assist those with mentalhealth and wellness concerns.

For more information on this year’s Chalk the Walk, please visit the STHS Facebook Events page. If you’d like to submit your messages of hope and inspiration prior to the event, please call the STHS Marketing Department at (956) 388-2020 or email STHSMarketing@uhsinc.com.

If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available 24/7 by calling the STHS Behavioral Referral and Assessment Department. For a confidential assessment, call (956) 388-1300. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, call the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.

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