State makes plans for suicide walk

Douglas County will participate in Nevada's first annual "Walk in Memory, Walk for Hope" 8 a.m. Sept. 15 at Heritage Park.

Nevada Department of Health and Human Services Director Mike Willden announced today that the Nevada Office of Suicide Prevention and the Nevada Coalition for Suicide Prevention are actively seeking people to participate in the event.

Held in conjunction with National Suicide Prevention Week, Gardnerville will join four Elko, Las Vegas and Reno in partcipating. The purpose of the walk is to call greater attention and awareness to the devastating effect suicide has on our communities, and to remember loved-ones lost to suicide.

The Nevada Coalition for Suicide Prevention, a nonprofit organization that supports research, education, survivor bereavement, and awareness programs throughout Nevada, is hosting the various events. Individual "Walk" participants are asked to donate $20, teams $150, although a donation is not required to take part in the event. All donations will be used to help fund various Coalition programs.

For more information about sponsorship of or participation in the "Walk in Memory, Walk for Hope" event go to www.active.com/page/Event_Details.htm?event_id=1467774, or call the Nevada Office of Suicide Prevention at (775) 684-3475 or (702) 486-8225.

For more information on suicide prevention, including information on learning the signs of suicidal behavior and a Prevention Resource Directory, go to http://dhhs.nv.gov/SuicidePrevention.htm. If you or someone you know is in crisis, call the Nevada Suicide Prevention Hotline at (877) 885-4673, or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800)273-8255.