Lodi’s Annual Suicide Prevention Walk-out returned to Lodi’s High School track for it’s third year on Sept. 23.
The purpose of the walk-out is to raise funds for the Suicide Prevention Program of San Joaquin County and to spread awareness for mental health.
The directors of the walk are Lodi High School (LHS) psychologist Souria Haddad and Assistant Speech Therapist Laura Carstens. Although the walk-out is staged at LHS, it’s an event open to the entire community.
“What we are doing here is raising funds and awareness to go towards the suicide prevention program of San Joaquin County. We have been hit hard; especially after COVID, with suicides,” said Haddad.
Working alongside the directors is the architect of the walk-out LHS Senior Lucas Goulart, who started the walk-out after the loss of a friend to suicide. The pain Goulart felt inspired him to create the event to raise awareness for mental health.
“I realized that we were doing something wrong. Obviously, we weren’t supporting our students in the way that we should,” said Goulart. “I wanted to make sure we put something out for students to make them feel supported.”
Goulart contacted the San Joaquin County Office of Education, from there he received lime green ribbons that stand for mental health awareness. Oct. 1 through Oct. 7 is Mental Illness Awareness Week.
With administration approval, Goulart handed out more than two hundred ribbons to staff and students during lunch.
“Then they came to me with the idea of the walk and that’s when this was sort of born,” said Goulart.
From the beginning, the goal of the walk-out was always to spread awareness and reach a substantial level of growth within the community.
“We really want to destigmatize mental health and suicide. We want people to know that it’s okay to talk about it, and it’s okay to come get support,” said Haddad.
According to Haddad and Carstens, students are more open about the topic of mental health, and are actively participating in the event each year. On top of that the event has seen more volunteers this year than ever before.
“The first year we didn’t have any booths, it was just a walk. Last year we had about half the raffles and half the booths that are out here. It’s really grown, I think just taking the time and working together and getting the community and the school involved has been really helpful,” said Haddad.
Communities all over Lodi schools and businesses have set up shop, some with advice and therapeutic techniques for those dealing with depression. These booths ranged from a small lemonade stand to an art therapy activity for children.
The Suicide Prevention program had a booth for donations and places to go for those who may be seeking help or know someone who needs help.
Christy Hannan, another member of the LHS psychologist team, had a gardening booth where people could plant seeds in small plastic cups and take them home.
“Gardening is actually one of those activities that’s very good for your mental health. It releases hormones that fight off stress, like vitamin D and really creates an aura of mindfulness”, said Hannan.
All carnival booths, wellness activities and prizes are included in the ticket price. Participants paid $10 to walk, or $20 to walk and wear the shirt. Snacks and raffle tickets were also available for purchase. The raffle cost was $5 and all funds go to the Suicide Prevention program of San Joaquin County.
For more information about suicide prevention or mental health awareness, visit: https://takeaction4mh.com/