Mesquite Mental Health member Marie Stokey (left) walks with her parents Lee and Julie Foster and the Foster children Nate, Kate and Camille. Photo by Lou Martin.

Mesquite Mental Health member Marie Stokey (left) walks with her parents Lee and Julie Foster and the Foster children Nate, Kate and Camille. Photo by Lou Martin.

Nevada Coalition for Suicide Prevention and the City of Mesquite Department of Athletics and Leisure Services held the third annual ‘Walk in Memory Walk for Hope Saturday morning at the recreation fields next to the department. The event held annually throughout Nevada and the nation hopes to bring awareness to a growing problem regarding suicide amongst our youth and population. The problem became more acute to the city, due to local suicides.

Pam Bruehl of the Mesquite Behavioral Health Center reads various letters from dignitaries regarding the event prior to the ‘Walk’ on Saturday morning. Photo by Lou Martin.

Pam Bruehl of the Mesquite Behavioral Health Center reads various letters from dignitaries regarding the event prior to the ‘Walk’ on Saturday morning. Photo by Lou Martin.

Pam Bruehl, Mesquite Behavioral Health Center representative began the morning explaining why they were there. She then read a letter from Janet Masollo State Walk Coordinator who is a survivor of her daughter’s suicide 15 years ago. She also read a letter from Nevada Senator Harry Reid praising the event who also explained that he was a survivor after his father’s death in 1972. She then read Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval’s proclamation making September 8- 14 Nevada Suicide Prevention Week. Lutheran Pastor Patrick O’Neal gave a prayer to begin the walk. Fifty plus walkers began a 5K walk around the soccer fields.

Information was handed out to all participants and bystanders regarding the coalition and National Prevention Suicide Lifeline after the walk. Bruehl emphasized the National Lifeline’s phone number 1-800- 273-Talk.