Annually, September 10th is recognized around the world as Suicide Prevention Day. The day was recognized in the Drumheller Valley with an awareness walk at the Drumheller Health Centre.
For a number of years Project #MentalHealthMatters have held a walk to bring attention to mental health. This year, in conjunction with World Suicide Prevention Day, a walk was held from the Drumheller Health Centre, along the walking trail and then back to the Health Centre.
Recovery Alberta and the Association of Communities Against Abuse also participated in the event. Trina Macfarlane from Recovery Alberta shared prior to the walk that a multitude of resources was available to those who attended. She shared that 13 lives are lost every day in Canada due to suicide. In Alberta, suicide remains one of the leading causes of death among young and middle-aged adults. Men account for nearly 75% of suicide deaths nationwide.
In addition to the walk, tags were offered to those who participated to share a message or remember someone impacted. The tags were then hung from a number of the trees around the flagpole at the Drumheller Health Centre.
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