Walk to focus attention on prevention of suicides

PROVO — Greg Hudnall was principal at Independence High School in 1995 when one of his students committed suicide at a neighboring park.

"After that personal experience, I just decided we needed to do something to prevent suicide," he said.

Ten years later, Hudnall is the executive director of the Utah County HOPE (Hold on, Persuade, Empower) Task Force, a group of about 60 volunteers whose focus is suicide prevention and education and providing support for parents and children who have lost family members to suicide.

On Saturday, the HOPE Task Force will sponsor Utah County's first Suicide Awareness Walk to remember those who have been lost to suicide, as well as to inform the community about suicide prevention and how people can get help.

The free event will begin with a continental breakfast at 8 a.m. in the Clark Auditorium at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center, 1034 N. 500 West. The walk is expected to get under way at 9 a.m. at the Northwest Plaza and will cover 2.2 miles. Participants are encouraged to make posters to display during the walk in honor of loved ones or for the purpose of educating others about suicide prevention.

The walk will be followed by a short presentation that will include two speakers — a sibling who lost a brother to suicide and a mother whose son took his life — as well as a musical performance.

"We're starting to get more and more families who are survivor siblings who want to be able to do something and recognize that family member. This is their chance," said Hudnall, Provo School District's director of student services. "It's a very humbling experience to be around families who have lost children."

One to two students in Utah County commit suicide each year, Hudnall said, and another 50 to 60 attempt suicide.

The Provo School District on average has lost one student to suicide each year for the past six years, said Cathy Bledsoe, program specialist for the district and one of the organizers of the Suicide Awareness Walk.

"It's become a real concern in our district," Bledsoe said.

It's estimated that there are about 11 suicides each day in the United States, according to the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control.

The statewide statistics are also troubling, Hudnall said.

• Utah ranks No. 10 in the nation for suicides.