News File Photo People gather at the resource tables at last year's Alpena Suicide Prevention Walk. This year's walk will begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 27 at Bay View Park.

ALPENA — September is National Suicide Prevention Month, and the sixth annual Alpena Suicide Prevention Walk will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 27.

The walk begins at the Alpena Bandshell at Bay View Park, with tables set up with many community resources before and after the two-mile walk.

There will be a speaker, live music, and the same walk route as in prior years, over the 2nd Avenue Bridge, along the Thunder Bay River, across the 9th Avenue Bridge, and back down Chisholm Street to Bay View Park.

Mary Schalk, Partners in Prevention program director, said the walk is an opportunity for the community to come together, support each other, and learn about suicide prevention resources in the community.

“To come together to grieve people they may have lost,” Schalk said. “And to acknowledge the importance of recognizing suicide in our community.”

Schalk explained that people who haven’t been touched by suicide, either in their family or social circles, may not recognize how big of a concern suicide is in the community.

“It’s tragic when we lose someone to suicide,” Schalk said. “But there are also many, many others who are considering suicide, and we need to make it easier for people to talk about either their own concerns or their concerns about someone else so they can learn how to help and support.”

Schalk explained that the purpose of the walk is to ensure people in the community feel they are cared for and supported so that they know where they can turn in times when they are in distress.

“This is something every one of us can be involved in,” Schalk added. “You don’t have to have special training.”

Though Schalk said that community partners trained in caring for individuals in mental distress will be present at the walk, the event is geared to anyone who is willing to participate and is open to offering “a listening ear.”

Shalk added that community members and partners do not necessarily have to have solutions to prevent suicide. Rather, she said that “showing kindness,” and giving struggling individuals a place to share their concerns, can have a major impact in their lives and mental well-being.

She said the purpose of coming together for the event is “to know that other people care … to offer hope to each other that things do change and things get better … this walk is really for anybody who has any interest in this difficult topic of suicide.”

Schalk stated that individuals do not have to disclose anything they do not want to, but there will be professionals present at the event with whom eventgoers can discuss their own concerns or their grief around a loss.

“There’s no pressure for people to feel like they have to do anything they’re not ready for,” Schalk said. “This is a place people can come without fear of being judged or criticized. It’s really all about support and care.”

To sign up for the walk, or to make a donation to the Alpena Suicide Prevention Team, with all funds staying local, visit partners-in-prevention.ticketleap.com.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), the suicide rate in Michigan rose from 2019 to 2023 with 1,487 suicides per year. In 2019, the suicide rate in Michigan was 1.8 per 100,000 people and in 2023, the suicide rate in Michigan was 14.9 per 100,000 people. In 2018, DHHS reported a spike in suicides, 15 per 100,000 people in Michigan.

According to DHHS reports from 2019 to 2023, Alpena County has, on average, five suicides per year.

If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, or needs help, call or text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988, or visit 988lifeline.org.

Kayla Wikaryasz can be reached at 989-358-5688 or kwikaryasz@TheAlpenaNews.com.