Suicide prevention in South Bend aims to decrease stigma around mental health

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- This weekend, people from across our community came together for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention held its "Out of the Darkness Walk," an event designed to decrease the stigma around mental health.

Suicide prevention is a conversation that can be difficult to have - but it can save lives.

Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death nationwide. As we enter the winter months, experts say making people aware of resources is vital.

The walk around Howard Park was for people of all ages to come together in community. Multiple vendors handed out pamphlets and advice to anyone who needed it.

Participants were also encouraged to pick beads of different colors that represent the different ways they are represented by suicide; whether it is a personal struggle, loss, or general support of families and survivors.

United in grief and surrounded in positivity, walk chair Kristen Berkey said the group walked with one goal:

"Our mission is to break the stigma related with mental health with it being a illness and something we don't want to talk about." Berkey said. "We actually want to be here and we want to talk about it. And we want to share our resources and share our testimonies and let everybody know that were here with you."

Around 300 people signed up for the walk with 50 registering on site. Strollers and kids waist-high were spattered around the crowd. Some groups holding hands, others wearing matching shirts for companies or for loved ones. Everyone wearing beads that represented different ways they were represented by suicide, whether it is a personal struggle, loss, or general support of families and survivors.

Berkey brings her kids to these walks because she's lost many friends and has struggled with her own mental health. Now if her kids ever struggle, they will know they aren't alone.

"It is a heavy topic at times and sometimes there are tears both good and bad." Beerkey said. "But I think we are here to not only raise awareness and bring hope but build a community. And that's with our children. They're our next generation. We've gotta start with them. So that they don't have that stigma with mental health and mental illness and if they hear their friends talk about it they have the right information and that foundation at a young age taking them into that difficult pre-teen, teen young adulthood."

Awareness of the resources present is important ahead of winter in Michiana. If you need help or want to be an advocate, you can follow this link.

If you or a loved one is dealing with a mental health issue, there are resources. The 988 Lifeline is available to call, text or chat with right now, anonymously and judgment free. Locally, Oaklawn's number is 574-533-1234 for mental health or substance abuse crises. They can provide phone support and have a mobile crisis team and an in-person 24-hour crisis center.