September 8-14 is National Suicide Prevention Week. The Rotary Club of Mount Joy seeks to educate and empower the community regarding the national suicide epidemic. Join us for two events designed to inspire hope for ending this important community concern.

 

A panel discussion and candlelight vigil will be held at Milanof-Schock Library, 1184 Anderson Ferry Road, Mount Joy On Wednesday, September 11. The discussion begins at 6:30. Find information and inspiration at this moderated forum. Mental Health America of Lancaster, Center for Grief and Loss, and Compeer will discuss the impact of suicide and how to help. Become more aware of the signs and resources to combat this epidemic. Q&A will follow. A candlelight vigil at the Library’s Flagpole, will begin at approximately 7:30. Register at mslibrary.org or by calling 717-653-1510.

 

Saturday, September 14 join the Rotary Club for a Suicide Awareness and Prevention Walk. The Walk will begin at Mount Joy’s Rotary Park Fairview Street entrance. Stroll through Mount Joy with other concerned community members to learn more about suicide and the warning signs.

 

Stations on the walk route will inspire hope that, through awareness, suicide is preventable. The walk will educate participants about suicide, give us a chance to remember those we have lost, and those they have left behind. Our community will come together to find ways to remove the stigma of asking for help. Walk will be held rain or shine. The route is just under two miles looping back to Rotary Park.

 

Walk registration begins Saturday, September 14 at 8:30 AM in the Park. The walk starts at 9 AM. Also at the park that day, you will bear witness to 61 pairs of empty shoes. The shoes represent the lives lost to completed suicides in Lancaster County in 2018. The Suicide Prevention Empowerment Tree will also be present for the community to make personal commitments to reach out to people in need of mental health support. Informative booths from Compeer and MHA of Lancaster County will be distributing educational materials.

 

A suicide awareness and prevention display, and the Empowerment Tree will be at Milanof-Schock Library for the month of September. Find suicide prevention resource materials and be motivated to help those who are struggling with depression or anxiety.

 

For more information about these events, visit the Rotary Facebook page or the Library’s website at mslibrary.org. For more information about the Rotary Club or its projects contact Greg Sallade at #717-648-0510.