By Haley Steinkamp
Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death nationally and the second leading cause of death for those aged 10-34, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
September is suicide prevention month, and the Kalamazoo-based non-profit organization Gryphon Place hosted its 5k walk for suicide prevention. This year had the highest number of participants, reaching close to 600 participants. Gryphon Place exceeded its goal of raising $65,000. Gryphon Place’s goals for the event included raising awareness, providing the community with valuable information and reducing the stigmatization surrounding suicide.
Certain demographic groups, primarily young women and black Americans, experienced a rise in suicide attempts in 2020, the CDC data indicate. Dozens of walkers turned out for the event in downtown Kalamazoo. They came with handmade signs such as “Someone Cares About You” and walked in honor of family members lost due to suicide.
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- 5k participant JoAngela Gates and friend arrive early at Bronson Park, September 25, and wait for the commencement of the Gryphon Place Suicide Prevention walk.
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- Paw Paw resident Brenda Hess and her family register for the Suicide Prevention Walk. They walk to remember their lost loved one.
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- CEO of Gryphon Place Maricela Alcala expresses her gratitude for the community’s support and announces the beginning of the Gryphon Place Suicide Prevention 5k.
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- Participants begin the Gryphon Place Suicide Prevention 5k at 10 a.m. on the Southeast corner of Bronson Park. Many participants carry signs expressing love and support to the community or to pay tribute to lost loved ones. This sign states, “I walk to remind everyone we need another day with you.”
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- Participants walked through the neighborhoods of Kalamazoo to show their support for suicide prevention. Here a young man is participating in the 5k despite being injured.
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- As walkers make their way back to Bronson Park, the celebration starts. They are greeted by jazz music and games while food trucks start lining down South Street.
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- Event and volunteer manager Jennifer Cooley coordinated this year’s Gryphon Place Suicide Prevention 5k. This year had the highest number of participants, reaching close to 600 participants. Gryphon Place smashed their goal of raising $65,000 for their organization.
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- Vice President of Impact Jacquis Robertson, explains that Gryphon Place has experienced a higher frequency of crisis calls during the pandemic. She describes Gryphon Place as a “collaborative, cross functional, and relationship-oriented organization to increase programmatic quality community collaboration, and overall impact.” She thinks hosting events such as the suicide prevention walk, to break the stigmatization surrounding suicide can only have a positive impact on the community.
