The 8th Annual Jerry’s Walk was held today at the St. Clairsville Memorial for Suicide Awareness in St. Clairsville, OH. Participants had the opportunity to walk, sign up for the auction, donate a suicide pinwheel in memory of someone they may have lost to suicide, and interact with mental health experts from Belmont County and the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation to access community resources.
The event aimed to reduce the stigma surrounding suicide, particularly for older males like Jerry. Jerry, who died by suicide at the age of 75, inspired the walk organized by his daughter, Sandy Williams. The event served to raise awareness and promote a better understanding of the importance of mental health.
Sandy Williams, President of Jerry’s Walk, shared her personal experience during the event. She spoke about how when her father passed away due to suicide, she and her family were uninformed about its effects. Williams emphasized that despite being in 2024, suicide is still a taboo topic for many people. She stressed the importance of removing the stigma around mental health and encouraging open conversations about struggles and suicidal thoughts. Her message was clear: “Let us help you. Don’t hide.”
