Events planned by Suicide Awareness Coalition in August, September

The Hill County Suicide Awareness Coalition has events planned starting this weekend running through September, including its annual Suicide Awareness Walk Sept. 12.

The theme for this year’s walk is “It’s Time! To ask. To listen. To support,” a press release from the coalition said.

Coalition member Andi Daniel said the theme encourages community members to reach out to those who may be having suicidal thoughts.

“So often, we are told to reach out if we need help, but that can be difficult when we are really struggling,” she said in the releasse. “Don’t be afraid to ask someone if they are considering suicide. Sometimes that can really make the difference.”

The events start this weekend with a showing of Pixar and Disney’s “Inside Out” at the Havre-Hill County Library.

The film tells the story of a young girl whose life is put in turmoil when her family moves from the midwest to San Francisco. Her emotions — Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust and Sadness — try to help her through her daily life from Headquarters inside her mind. But as she and her emotions try to adjust to her new life, the emotions conflict on how she should handle the changes in her life.

The coalition is holding a Crunch for a Cause fundraiser next week. Thursday, Aug. 29, when anyone paying for a purchase at Taco John’s between 5 and 7 p.m. says they are donating to the Suicide Awareness Walk, 50 percent of the purchase price will go to the coalition to help cover the expenses of the walk.

The awareness walk starts Thursday, Sept. 12, at 7 p.m. at the clock tower on Montana State University-Northern’s Quad.

The free community event, paid for by local donations from organizations and individuals as well as fundraising activities through local businesses, is open to all and free T-shirts will be available.

Pre-walk activities starting at 6:30 p.m. will feature a remembrance wall, honor beads, speakers and public comment.

The walk is followed by a presentation of the play “It’s Time,” written by Mark Cichosz, in The Little Theatre in Cowan Hall on Northern’s campus.

The awareness walk is followed on Sept. 20 by a free Mental Health First Aid course at Bullhook Community Health Center.