The community of Cordell is invited to come together for the ‘Love is An Action’ walk for Suicide Prevention and Awareness on Saturday, September 28, around the town square at the Washita County Courthouse. This important event, organized by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) Oklahoma and sponsored by Cordell Memorial Hospital, aims to raise awareness and funds for suicide prevention efforts. Registration will begin at 8:00 a.m., and the walk will last from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Senior Life Solutions, the Cordell team, will have a resource booth at the event. All proceeds benefit AFSP.
Liz Worley, RN Program Director at Senior Life Solutions in Cordell, provided insight into the importance of understanding suicide prevention and the impact of spreading awareness. She shared her journey, stating, “During my mental health journey as an adolescent, I struggled with severe depression. I experienced what it is like to feel completely alone and isolated, to believe that no one cares and they would be better off without you. I know what it is like to feel so much pain and anguish that it seems the only way to make it stop is to end your life. I know what it’s like to attempt to end your life. I am grateful my story did not end. Through the support of loved ones, local resources, and therapy, I rewrote my story. Now, I have the opportunity to support and help others change theirs. If you or someone you know is struggling, please call the suicide and crisis lifeline at (988).”
The inspiration behind the organization of this walk in Cordell stemmed from the desire to connect our communities and start a difficult but necessary conversation on how we can help one another in the fight against suicide. Worley, reflecting on the personal significance of the event, shared, “I have been a mental health nurse for a number of years and have seen the struggle of individuals and the devastation that comes from losing someone by suicide. Our team consists of mental health professionals who speak with patients nearly every day who struggle with their mental health, and many report having thoughts of suicide or having attempted at some point in their lives. All of these factors inspire us to join the fight against suicide by educating communities and providing support to those struggling with their mental health.”
Events like the ‘Love is An Action’ walk play a crucial role in reducing the stigma surrounding mental health and suicide.
Worley said, “We believe when people see that there are others struggling with the same issues, they begin to see that they are not alone, and this enables them to seek help.
Additionally, educating the community helps individuals to see warning signs and know what actions to take.”
The event will also highlight several resources available in the area, including who to contact in a crisis as well as preventative support. Attendees will be able to learn about these resources and support systems during the walk.
“We want to show survivors of suicide that we support them and give some a chance to tell their stories and honor their loved ones. We hope that coming together as a community is a show of support for those struggling with their own mental health. We hope to educate our community and surrounding communities on ways to check in with loved ones and educate and connect them with resources available 24/7 if they or someone they know is struggling or in crisis. We will also provide resources for support groups and therapists to prevent crisis,” shared Worley.
Beyond participating in the walk, community members can continue to support mental health awareness and suicide prevention by sharing the information they learn with friends and family members. They can also use the resources they learn about to intervene when they see someone struggling with their mental health.
The ‘Love is An Action’ walk for Suicide Prevention and Awareness is an important opportunity for the community to come together, raise awareness, and show support for those affected by suicide.
Let’s join hands in promoting mental health awareness and suicide prevention in Cordell.