NEWS RELEASE:
Media Contact:
Sierra Larkin I Business Education DECA Advisor
Wenatchee High School
larkin.sierra@wenatcheeschools.org
For Immediate Release
Wenatchee High School to Host 4th Annual Suicide Awareness Walk
The Be The Light Walk is an effort to bring awareness about suicide and depression, as well as to deliver a message of hope. The walk will take place at the Wenatchee High School track on Friday, September 14th at 5:00 pm.
This is the fourth year of the event, which as has been hugely successful, with several local community groups who deal with issues of suicide and depression on hand to distribute leaflets and answer questions. More than 200 students and adults have attended each year.
The walk features speakers, music, T-shirts, and a ceremony where colored beads are distributed (each color represents someone who has been impacted by suicide, for example, white is for someone who has lost a child).
There is no admission charge, and the event is open to the community. Also, the T-shirts and beads are free.
Chelan County, in recent years, has had one of the highest suicide rates in the state of Washington, according to the Washington State Department of Health. Thirty to 100 people per month in both Chelan and Douglas counties receive support for suicidal thoughts or attempts, according to the Suicide Prevention Collation of NCW.
Both Confluence Health and Columbia Valley Community Health are major sponsors of this event. Four Wenatchee High School Clubs are also sponsoring: Interact Club, Random Acts of Kindness Club, Inspire Club, and DECA.
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