By Arabella Saunders, Features Editor
The first annual Suicide Awareness Walk will take place Saturday, April 1, at the First Flight High School track from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Influenced by her own battle against suicide as well as those of family members and friends, senior Victoria Hobbs has organized the event for her senior project.
“I chose this topic because it’s something I’ve struggled with personally and I’ve almost lost a couple friends from suicide and I’ve lost some family-like members to suicide,” Hobbs said. “I just know that it’s something that kind of goes unnoticed and it’s something that’s become an ongoing joking trend.”
In addition to the walk, the event will include a donation/information booth.
“There’s going to be T-shirts for sale and there’s going to be an information and donation booth where people can make donations to a suicide prevention organization,” Hobbs said. “I’m deciding between two right now, either the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.”
Hobbs plans to honor the memory of those who have fallen victim to suicide through a memory wall, where family and friends can post the name of loved-ones who have passed as well as short messages of encouragement.
“I got the idea for the walk because I wanted to do something big that makes a difference and there’s nothing else like this for suicide,” Hobbs said.
A table with baked goods for sale will be set up as well. Hobbs encourages attendees to bring a baked good; however, it is not required.
Not only does Hobbs hope the walk will spark a tradition on the Outer Banks, she aims to shed light on telltale signs that can lead to suicide and offer peace of mind to families and individuals who have been affected.
“I’m hoping that this can be something that I can do yearly and I hope that it brings some closure and some hope to some families that have been struggling with the loss,” Hobbs said. “Just get the word out that suicide is an issue and it’s not something to joke about, and it’s not something that you can say someone isn’t struggling with.”
Junior Arabella Saunders can be reached at [email protected].
