ESCANABA — End the Silence, a Depression Awareness and Suicide Prevention Walk, is scheduled for Saturday, Sept.16. The event will be held at a new location this year, the Miracle of Life Building at the U.P. State Fairgrounds in Escanaba. The walk is being held at the end of National Suicide Prevention Week. Money raised from the walk provides funding for The Delta County Suicide Prevention Taskforce.

This year’s main speaker, Jennifer Buta, will discuss her experience of losing her son, Jordan DeMay, who took his own life as a result of sextortion. In addition, there will be local agencies and community organizations that will be providing free educational materials on depression and other related topics at the event include: The Delta County Suicide Prevention Task Force, Celebrate Recovery, Communities that Care, Great Lakes Recovery Center, Pathways, Bellin Health, Veterans Affairs, Survivor of Suicide Bereavement Group, Kindness Rocks Delta County, and Victim’s Service Unit. Also, the Upper Peninsula Lifesaver quilts will be on display.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 44,965 people die by suicide each year. This means that someone dies from suicide every 12 minutes, and for every completed suicide, there are 25 attempts. Psychological autopsy studies show that more than 90% of completed suicides had one or more mental disorders. Suicide is preventable and a disease that affects the whole community. Family and friends left behind by someone who completes suicide can leave themselves at a higher risk of suicide or emotional problems.

Registration for the event begins at 10 a.m., which will occur rain or shine. The opening ceremony will start at 11 a.m. with the non-competitive walk to follow. There will be 1- or 2-mile options. In addition to the walk, there will be a brat fry, bucket raffles, bake sale, kids’ activities, and a bounce house during the event.

Registration fees are $25 per person, $10 per child up to 16 years old, and $50 per family of four ($10 for each additional person). Group rates are available. Registration fees are waived with pledges of $50 or more, collection of pledges optional. Pre-registration will secure your requested t-shirt size. T-shirts will be given with paid registration. Tax-exempt contributions are welcomed.

Over the last 14 years, over $225,000 has been raised to support The Delta County Suicide Prevention Taskforce initiatives. The money raised recently has given The Delta County Suicide Prevention Taskforce the ability to hire two counselors for ISD, Escanaba Middle, and High Schools students who are at-risk for self-harm along with hosting an ASIST training at Bay College this past June to train individuals on how to assist those who are at risk for suicide.

To register or obtain more information, contact the End the Silence Walk by mail at 1215 North 18th Street, Escanaba, MI 49829, at www.endthesilencewalk.com, via e-mail endthesilencewalk@hotmail.com; or by calling (906) 789-0003.