Event raises awareness and remembrance of suicide

On September 14, more than 300 community members gathered in the Medford City Park for the Walk Together for Suicide and Mental Health Awareness event. On August 25, 2017 the first community Walk Together for Suicide Awareness was held here in Taylor County. It began as a walk concept by local community member Amber Fettes, supported by community agencies, and embraced by local families and friends who lost loved ones to being a victim of Suicide.

Now 6 years later the Walk Together for Suicide and Mental Health Awareness continues in the Medford City Park bringing together annually 300 plus family, friends, and community in a night of tears, hugs, resources, kindness, faith hope and love music, holding hands, supported funding for the CARES Model, and a walk together.

The 2023 Walk Together featured:

• Walk Together around the Riverwalk

• Suicide and Mental Health Resources

• Memory Table

• Tea Light Memory Bags

• Items for a Suicide Memory Quilt

• HOPE T-Shirts

• CARES Model

• Suicide and Mental Health Agencies including: CARES Model for Mental Health Counseling, Taylor County Health Department, Taylor County Human Services, Aspirus of Medford, Stepping Stones, Mid State Independent Living Choices, Counseling Connection, Casey Blume Memorial Foundation, Taylor County Literacy Council, Taylor County Drug Opposition Partners, Taylor County Mental Health Council, and Student Services Departments from the Medford Area Public School District

• Pizza donated by Nestle

• Inspirational Music by Woller Productions

• Cheese donated by Marathon Cheese

• Water and Bananas donated by Kwik Trip

• Baked Goods made by Grandma Balciar

• Suicide and Mental Health Signs from Aspirus The evening agenda featured coordination by Medford Schools Director of Student Services Joseph Greget, opening prayerful meditation through “Amazing Grace” sung by Andrea Bocelli and Alison Kraus, Information on Suicide Prevention Day and Ripple Effect movie on Sept 27, Reading of Names Lost to Suicide by Michelle Cahoon from Health Department, Motivational Speech by the Jason Hemmer Family, everyone holding hands during the song “Angels Among Us,” and a Walk Together.