The first-ever Suicide Prevention Walk at Bowie State University was a huge success, with nearly sixty people showing up and raising over $22,500 for mental health awareness. It was an emotional day, especially for the family who organized it in honor of their son, and we all shared our personal stories to help break the stigma around mental health.
Here are the highlights:
- Inaugural Suicide Prevention Walk held at Bowie State University saw strong community support.
- Event organized by a family who lost their son to suicide during the pandemic.
- Goal to raise awareness and destigmatize mental health issues.
- Nearly sixty participants included residents, university administrators, students, and friends.
- Fundraising goal of $10,000 was surpassed, raising over $22,500.
- Speakers included local officials sharing personal mental health stories.
- Organizers aim to make the walk an annual event to continue raising awareness.
- National Suicide Prevention Hotline available for those in need.
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Bowie Suicide Prevention Walk Sees Strong Support
Despite looming storm clouds, an inaugural Suicide Prevention Walk saw a strong show of support and shattered fundraising goals at Bowie State University on Saturday.
The event, the first of what organizers hope will be many, was led by a Bowie family who tragically lost their son to suicide during the pandemic.
Determined to raise awareness and bring the community together to help destigmatize mental health, the family took on leadership roles with a local chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
For their inaugural event, they chose to organize a gathering and walk on Bowie State University's campus. Their son was a senior studying at Bowie State at the time of his passing. The walk was planned in partnership with the university, family and friends, members of local Divine Nine Sorority and Fraternity Chapters, and members of the Bowie City Council.
Nearly sixty participants gathered on campus, including Bowie residents, Bowie State University administrators and students, and the family's friends, sorority sisters and fraternity brothers. Booths highlighting mental health and suicide prevention programs were staffed by volunteers.
Shortly before the walk, the family spoke, introducing themselves and their story to those gathered. They expressed heartfelt appreciation for the outstanding community response, which saw a fundraising goal for mental health advocacy more than doubled.
I had the honor of attending and speaking, alongside my council colleague, Mayor Pro Tem Roxy Ndebumadu. We were invited to represent the city and to share our own mental health stories.
Many will recall my hospitalization in 2018 after a prolonged battle with depression. I spoke at the time of my lifelong journey managing depression and anxiety, which I shared again with those gathered Saturday.
Mayor Pro Tem Ndebumadu opened up about her experience with severe trauma during her adolescence, and described her ongoing healing journey.
We both discussed the importance of combatting stigma and normalizing conversations about mental health. My closing suggestion was not to underestimate the importance of active listening and small acts of kindness towards those around us, as they can save lives.
Organizers set a fundraising goal of $10,000 for suicide prevention efforts. A strong community response overwhelmed the goal, with over $22,500 raised by the time of the walk.
The organizers hope to make the walk an annual event to continue battling stigma and to raise local awareness of mental health resources.
If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of self harm, the National Suicide Prevention Hotline is available 24/7 by calling 988. Learn more here.