End the Silence Walk tomorrow
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ESCANABA - The End the Silence Walk will take place tomorrow at the Miracle of Life Building on the U.P. State Fairgrounds in Escanaba. Held at the close of National Suicide Prevention Week, the event brings the community together to raise awareness, support prevention efforts, and remember lives lost to suicide.
Registration begins at 10 a.m., followed by an opening ceremony at 11 a.m. The non-competitive walk will begin after the ceremony, with 1- and 2-mile route options. The event will also include a brat fry, bucket raffles, a bake sale, children's activities, and a display of the Upper Peninsula Lifesaver quilts. Local agencies and community organizations will provide free educational materials on depression, suicide prevention, and related support resources. The event will be held rain or shine.
Guest speaker Coach Jeff Olson, head football coach at Ishpeming High School and founder of Do It for Daniel, will share the story of his son, Daniel, and speak openly about mental health, anxiety, depression, and suicide. His message focuses on offering hope, encouraging honest conversations, and helping change the stigma surrounding mental health.
Registration is $25 per person, $10 for children age 16 and younger, and $20 per person for groups of four or more. Participants who collect $50 or more in pledges may have their registration fee waived; pledge collection is optional. Pre-registration is encouraged to help secure the requested T-shirt size, and T-shirts will be provided with paid registration. Tax-exempt contributions are welcome.
Funds raised during the walk will support the Delta County Suicide Prevention Taskforce, which was formed in 2006 in response to Michigan's Suicide Prevention Plan. Comprised of mental health professionals, community members, educators, and survivors of suicide, the Taskforce works to raise awareness about depression and suicide through education and media outreach.
For 17 years, the Taskforce has strengthened suicide prevention, mental health awareness, and community support across Delta County. Its work has included more than 30 school presentations, public prevention summits, training for educators, healthcare providers, law enforcement, and faith leaders, and programs such as ASIST, QPR, and Soul Shop. The Taskforce has also supported counseling resources for at-risk students, trauma-informed training, public awareness campaigns, scholarships, and a $10,000 contribution to the Youth Empowerment Service mentoring program.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), suicide claimed the lives of 48,824 Americans in 2024, averaging more than 133 deaths per day. Millions more were affected, including an estimated 14.3 million adults who seriously considered suicide, 4.6 million who made a plan, and 2.2 million who attempted suicide during the same year. Suicide is a complex public-health issue, but prevention efforts can make a difference through awareness, education, early intervention, and access to support.
Community members are encouraged to participate, donate, or learn more. To register or obtain more information, visit www.endthesilencewalk.com or email endthesilencewalk@hotmail.com.