2nd Annual Suicide Awareness Walk

Nearly 100 people gathered on the Northern campus last Thursday for the 2nd Annual Suicide Awareness Walk. Juliana Hallows, the Suicide Prevention Coordinator for Montana Veterans was the keynote speaker. She noted that Montana has been in the top 5 states in the nation for rates of suicide, due to access to firearms, social isolation, the shortage of mental health professionals and the high number of residents living in rural remote areas. Also, the negative stigma surrounding mental health becomes a barrier to seeking help. She encouraged attendees to "be the life raft" for those feeling they are swimming alone in the turbulent waters of their lives. Hallows told participants that if they are concerned someone is feeling suicidal, they should take it seriously, ask if the person is feeling hopeless or having suicidal thoughts, validate their feelings and do their best to get them in touch with the help they need - even sitting with them while they call a crisis hotline. She reminded attendees that, "Suicide is preventable, but it is going to take each and every one of us being there".