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The weather was beautiful for the first ever Walk
for Mental Health, held at Lake Harriet. About
200 people showed up for the three-mile walk.
Prior to the walk, a few people spoke about their
experiences dealing with mental health issues,
especially suicide.
The Walk for Mental Health benefits Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (S.A.V.E.), which was founded in 1989 by a group of people who have experienced the loss of a loved one to suicide. One of the founding members of S.A.V.E., Mary Kluesner, who had a child commit suicide, commented that our society has such a difficult time dealing with death and when the death is because of a suicide it becomes even more stigmatized. The mission of S.A.V.E. involves educating people about the signs and symptoms of depression and other mental illnesses, removing the stigma associated with mental illness, and providing support to people suffering from mental illness and their loved ones.
This year's Walk for Mental Health was organized by the family and friends of Sheena Driscoll. On August 17, 2001, when Driscoll was 17 years old, she took her own life as a result of her depression. They hope to make this an annual walk to raise money and awareness for suicide prevention and education.
Kluesner(far right) remarked that she is very appreciative
of Fr. Jim Cassidy for talking about the Walk for
Mental Health from the pulpit the Sunday before
the walk. According to Kluesner, if you want to
get something done, go to St. Joan of Arc and the
parishioners will respond.
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