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Event promotes suicide awareness, features Walk of Remembrance

 

POLK COUNTY—The tenth annual ‘Do Not Lose Hope’ event is scheduled for Saturday, September 21, at Harmon Field. The event aims to honor loved ones who lost their lives to suicide or overdose in the community, as well as support those currently struggling with mental illness or addiction.

Do Not Lose Hope was inspired by the last words of Caroline deRosset Wesley, daughter of event organizer Mary Wells Prioleau. Shortly after Wesley ended her own life, her friend Jaheir Ford made the same tragic decision. In 2014, Prioleau and Ford’s sister, Tamara Black, partnered to organize a yearly gathering to raise awareness of suicide and overdose death while memorializing those who lost their battles. 

This past year, approximately 400 people attended the Walk of Remembrance, and more than 4,000 T-shirts have been distributed in support of the annual event. During September, organizers display sunflower banners in downtown Columbus representing lives lost to overdose, addiction and suicide.

Attendees walk the Harmon Field track carrying flameless candles to support those struggling with mental and behavioral health challenges. A special dove release will also occur. Polk County Schools Superintendent Aaron Greene will read the names of the victims during the walk of remembrance, and participants are encouraged to bring photographs of lost loved ones to display.

“Do Not Lose Hope is about ending the stigmas associated with mental health issues and illnesses by engaging with the community, especially children, to acknowledge health without apprehension or shame,” said Prioleau on Thursday. “No one should be ashamed that they have a disease they didn’t ask for.”

The family-friendly event will also feature a variety of food vendors, children’s activities, singing by Brittney Staley and Emery Viehman, and local organizations offering valuable resources. It will take place from 5 to 7 p.m., with the dove release at 6:30 p.m. 

“Do Not Lose Hope shocks people every year with how happy and fun an event it is; everybody there shares a connection,” said Prioleau. “It’s so meaningful to me for people to come out and support this movement. It really melts my heart.”

This event is made possible by the Polk County Community Foundation.

For more information, contact Prioleau at 828-899-9699 or visit Do Not Lose Hope on Facebook.