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Last updated on Thursday, May 8, 2014
(BLOOMINGTON) - Bloomington Meadows Hospital is sponsoring a 5K Run/Walk/Relay for Zero Suicide on Saturday, from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. at 1503 W. That Rd.
Last year, over 250 people participated in the event and $6,000 was raised for suicide prevention efforts. Bloomington Meadows Hospital and the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention in collaboration with the Monroe County Suicide Prevention Coalition have raised their goal this year to $7,000 to be used for suicide prevention services in Monroe County.
The goal of the 5K Run/Walk/Relay for Zero Suicide is to educate the public about suicide, reduce stigma associated with seeking help for mental illness and reduce incidences of suicide. There are several ways to be a "Hero for Zero" participant. Interested parties can participate in the event as a runner, walker or relay team member; volunteer during the event; or provide sponsorship. The event offers three levels of sponsorship: Gold is $500, Silver is $250 and Bronze for $100. To register for the event, please visit the Bloomington Meadows Hospital at www.bloomingtonmeadows.com or call 331.8000.
Pamela J. Faerber, a suicide prevention advocate, will speak at the event. In 2011, Pamela and her husband George lost their son to suicide after his long battle with depression. Pamela is currently focused on the development of "Empowering Families Facing Depression," which encourages families to face depression together as a true medical illness and helps provide resources to families. Pamela advocates for a medical-based diagnostic tool for depression, such as a blood biomarker or a brain scan.
Bloomington Meadows Hospital is a locally-based behavioral health hospital. All proceeds generated from the 5K Run/Walk/Relay will provide programs in Monroe County. The funds will be used for suicide prevention efforts such as community education programs, hosting suicide prevention speakers and training individuals in suicide prevention techniques.
The Monroe County Suicide Prevention Coalition was founded in 2010. The Coalition is dedicated to understanding and preventing suicide through research, education and advocacy and reaching out to people at risk, as well as those impacted by suicide. Membership to the Monroe County Suicide Prevention Coalition is open to service providers, representatives from local communities of faith, law enforcement and other organizations that are concerned with the reduction of incidents of suicide in our community and reducing the stigma associated with suicide. The coalition meets the fourth Thursday of each month at noon in City Hall, 401 N. Morton St.
For more information regarding the event, please contact Health Projects Manager Nancy Woolery at 349.3851 or Joshua Paul of Bloomington Meadows Hospital at 961.2423.
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