Jerry’s Walk hosts its 8th annual Suicide Awareness Walk

ST. CLAIRSVILLE, Ohio (WTRF) — Jerry’s Walk – Illuminating Suicide Awareness, a nonprofit organization dedicated to suicide prevention, hosted its 8 ^th annual Suicide Awareness Walk at the St. Clairsville-Richland Township Memorial Park.

Jerry’s Walk honors Jerry Williams who lost his life to suicide in 2011. His daughter, Sandy Williams, created the organization to confront the surrounding stigma and provide a safe space for those who are battling or have lost a loved one to suicide.

Sandy Williams, president of Jerry’s Walk – Illuminating Suicide Awareness, says one of the best things we can do is have hard conversations with people we care about.

“So just ask them are you thinking of harming yourself, have you thought about suicide? It’s ok to have that conversation, you’re probably going to lift a great weight from their mind thinking ok, this is someone I can talk to about this. But once you ask the question, be there to help.”

Sandy Williams, president of Jerry’s Walk – Illuminating Suicide Awareness

This year the organization will administer the Jerry Williams Memorial Fund, a grant that is funded by the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation that will go towards suicide prevention programs for men over the age of 65.

For more information about this grant visit jerryswalk.org. Their website also keeps a list of local resources for those looking for help.

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