Community Unites for Seventh Annual Mental Health Awareness Walk

Dozens of participants gathered at Catawba College’s Shuford Stadium on Saturday, October 21, 2023, for the seventh annual Into the Light suicide and mental health awareness walk. Dressed in purple, attendees arrived before dawn to engage in discussions about local mental health resources. The event, organized by Rowan County United Way, aimed to raise awareness and provide support for those affected by mental health issues and suicide.

Beginning at 6:30 a.m., the stadium walkway was lined with booths from organizations such as Salisbury Pride, United Way, and the 988 Suicide and Crisis Line. These booths offered information about support groups and hotlines available for individuals struggling with mental health challenges and those grieving the loss of loved ones to suicide. Participants received colored wristbands symbolizing their connection to the cause, whether they were honoring someone they had lost or simply showing their support.

As the event progressed, many attendees submitted names and photographs of individuals they had lost to suicide. These tributes were displayed on the stadium screen during the walk. Participants moved around the track as Executive Director Jenny Lee read the names aloud, ringing a bell for each person honored. Some walked quietly, while others engaged in conversations, sharing their experiences and memories.

The program commenced with a prayer, followed by a heartfelt speech from Justin Tyler Owens, Dean of Students at Catawba College. He reiterated the college’s commitment to supporting the event each year and emphasized the importance of openly discussing mental health rather than leaving it unaddressed.

Following Owens, Jim Behmer, President of the United Way Board of Directors, shared a personal story of loss. He recounted the impact of his aunt, Kim McGrath Millin, who took her own life in 2000. A high school teacher in Virginia, her death resonated deeply with her students, some of whom spoke at her funeral. Behmer reflected on how her passing sparked conversations about mental health within his family and changed their approach to support each other.

“Attending this event has helped me become more comfortable remembering and processing my aunt Kim’s passing,” Behmer stated. “It has also given me the courage to discuss this with my family and keep her memory alive.”

The event continued with remarks from Micah Ennis, Vice President of the United Way Board of Directors. Ennis opened up about her own experience with grief after losing her eldest brother, David Michael Melton, in July 2006. She revealed that her first Into the Light walk in 2022 helped her process the unresolved feelings surrounding his death. Ennis described the complexities of their relationship, marked by both love and challenges due to his declining mental health.

“After years of limiting his contact with my children due to his behavior, I wondered if I had protected them better, would he still be here?” Ennis reflected. Her journey through grief has transformed her initial guilt into a deeper understanding of mental health issues and the complexities of life.

Community Outreach Coordinator Ali Edwards also addressed the audience, expressing gratitude for their participation and sharing the county’s mental health resources. She emphasized that engaging in such events is a meaningful way to channel grief into advocacy for mental health awareness.

“Just by being here, you are making a difference. Your presence is a statement that we care, that we remember, and that we need better ways to prevent these tragedies,” Edwards said.

Starting on October 21, 2023, grief counselor Tameka Brown with Healthy Rowan will host a bi-monthly support group for survivors of suicide loss called Reaching Into the Light. This group is free and open to any adult resident of Rowan County. Additionally, the county has recently opened its first behavioral health urgent care facility in collaboration with Daymark Recovery Services. This center offers 24/7 walk-in support for individuals facing mental health crises without income requirements.

While the event was not a direct fundraiser, it successfully raised over $18,000 in sponsorships for Rowan United Way, which will directly support mental health services in the community.

As Lee concluded the event, she stood together with the other speakers under a partially cloudy sky, urging participants to honor the names they had heard and those still fighting their battles.

“Take one more look at that beautiful sun, find hope, know that you are loved, and remember to check on your people,” she said, highlighting the collective commitment to mental health awareness and support within the community.