Losing family, friends, and loved ones is a hard to thing to deal with in general. Losing someone to suicide is whole different story. Depression and mental illnesses isn’t an easy topic to bring up, therefore it’s a hard topic to reach out to people about.
Dr. Robert E. Elliott Foundation was formed by the Elliott family in Searcy, AR after a tragic loss to suicide. This foundation’s mission says, “The purpose of this foundation is to educate the public about the disease of depression, save lives and restore hope.” They are apart of many services around the town including free community seminars and S.O.S (Survivors of Suicide) Meetings. They also hold free depression screenings, and they are a co-sponsor of the International Survivors of Suicide Day.
Of all the activities of awareness they bring to mental illnesses and suicide, my favorite would definitely be the Stride to Prevent Suicide walk. This walk is an annual event that is held at Spring Park once a year. Even though I say walk, there is a choice of running/walking a 5k or even taking the shorter walk. Either way, once you sign up, get your t-shirt and your number, the fee from the walkers goes towards the Dr. Robert E. Elliott foundation board to further help promote the need for suicide prevention.
The event started at 8 a.m. on Sat, April 5. When you first arrived, you checked in at the registration table, and if you hadn’t pre-registered, itwas okay to register then as well. There things to do while waiting for the beginning of the race. There was a bouncy house for the children to play in, and a live band playing varieties of music in the background. My favorite addition to this year’s walk was the memory picture. A dry erase board was set up with the words ‘Running in memory of:’ and then you could write the name you’re remembering in spirit or supporting by participating in the walk, and a photographer took a picture with you holding it with a professional background. This was the first year to have that, and I personally thought it was a very thoughtful gesture to have.
When people starting coming in to the finish line, ribbons and little trophies were given out to the “winners,” but really just to add some more fun to the race. Fruit, water, and frozen yogurt was available to anybody there, especially for the runners who had just worked hard!
After all the runners and walkers have come in, the most memorable part of the event happens: the butterfly release. Participants can pre-order a butterfly or anyone can buy one once they get there. The butterfly’s come in a frozen-like state in a tiny package. To warm them up, you take them out and hold them in your hand. A poem is read and then a list of loved ones that the members have lost to suicide are named off. When you hear the name of the person you are remembering, you release the butterfly and let it fly out of your hand. This is probably the most emotional time of the walk, but it is a great way to represent the memories of those lost, and hope for anyone struggling now and in the future.
I believe the Stride to Prevent Suicide walk will continue year after year and the Robert E. Elliott foundation will always be touching lives.
