Suicide is the second leading cause of death for Canadians under the age of 25, and an effort is underway to prevent it one step at a time.
The Canadian Mental Health Association, in partnership with the Windsor Essex County Health Unit, are hosting a suicide prevention awareness walk Sunday morning.
It will start at the St. Clair College Sportsplex on Talbot Rd. W at 9:30 a.m. Participants can walk 2 km or 5 km on pathways adjacent to the Rt. Hon. Herb Gray Pkwy.
The walk is open to the public and dogs are welcome. There is no fee.
The CMHA says an average of ten Canadians takes their own life every day in Canada. In Windsor-Essex, 150 people chose to end their life between 2012 and 2016.
"The walk is important in bringing awareness to suicide prevention and the message that help is available," said Karen Gignac, manager of mental health promotion at the CMHA's Windsor-Essex County branch. "It also allows us to honour the memory of individuals who have died by suicide and support grieving family and friends."
The CMHA is holding a series of events in September to promote suicide prevention awareness. Throughout the month, community partners, local businesses, and organizations are taking part in the "Go Yellow" campaign.