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Remembering Now May Save Lives in the Future

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Whitney's Walk For Life aims to prevent teen suicide

When a teen-aged Brimfield girl took her own life eight years ago, the grief felt by her family and friends was nearly matched by the misunderstanding of the act itself.

They wanted other families to learn the signs of depression and possible ways to prevent them from experiencing the pain and questions that accompany teen suicide, the third highest cause of death among people ages 15 to 24, according to Mental Health America Illinois Valley.

Whitney's Walk For Life began in began in July 2004, mere months after Whitney Grotts committed suicide at her home. It was started by her family but is now under the purview of Mental Health America Illinois Valley. It has become that organization's chief fundraiser as it strives to increase suicide prevention efforts in central Illinois, said Jamie Sanders, development coordinator for MHAIV.

"The family couldn't believe the big turnout they had that first year and it has grown by leaps and bounds since then. We expect a record number, at least 1,200, this year," she said.

This year's Whitney's Walk For Life is scheduled for Saturday, July 28 at Jubilee State Park, where it originated. It has grown to the point that there is now a 5K walk and a 5K run, both at Jubilee. The run begins at 7:55 a.m. and the walk starts five minutes later. Registration starts at 6:45 a.m.

The cost to participate is $25 for age 13 and older and $15 for those younger, regardless of whether they walk or run. Team registrations also are available, with fees that range from $500 to $2,000 or above, depending on what fundraising level the team chooses.

Proceeds, as mentioned, go to the suicide awareness and prevention programs the MHAIV puts on and implements in area schools. Those programs are:

• Columbia University TeenScreen: Includes computerized screening and linkage case management;

• QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer): Suicide Prevention Skills Training for Gatekeepers;

• Signs of Suicide (S.O.S.): Suicide Prevention Skills Training for Youth.

To date more than $500,000 has been raised for these efforts and programs, Sanders said.

"The purpose of Whitney's Walk is to raise money for suicide prevention programs and there is a wide variety of those programs. But it really goes much deeper than that. Whitney's Walk really is a place people can go to start or continue their healing process if they have lost somebody to suicide," she said.

Participants will range from people still deep in grief, perhaps because their loss is fresh, "to those who have progressed in their grief to the point they use the event as sort of a reunion with family and friends, to get together and remember their loved one. It is much, much more than a walk to raise money."

Sanders said suicide can take the lives of all ages, but that it is more prevalent among teen-agers as well as the elderly.

"Not many people really are aware of just how prevalent it is. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death overall, but it is the third leading cause of death among those 15 to 24. Another thing people don't realize is how many attempts there are among teens. There are 25 attempts for every death. This is a problem and that is why we want to do what we can to prevent it," she said.

Sanders said only about 20 percent of the youth with mental health problems that can lead to self-destruction and ultimately to death get the help they need.

The number of fundraisers that focus on Whitney's Walk has grown through the years, she said. Teams that enter the walk have started doing their own fundraisers through the year and donating the proceeds. They include golf outings, spaghetti suppers, auctions and other events that can be found on the Whitney's Walk website, www.whitneyswalk.com.

Look there as well for more information, ways to make a donation or to volunteer to help to register for the event.

For more information about Mental Health America Illinois Valley go to www.mhaiv.org.

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