By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Suicide continues to be a major health concern in the United States. Provisional data from the Centers for Disease Control indicates a 2.6 percent increase nationally in suicides from 2021 to 2022. September is National Suicide Awareness Month, and Dr. Patrick Stang with the Center for Counseling and Consultation in Great Bend said there will be several awareness events in Great Bend.
"Suicide is about the 11th-leading cause of death overall in the United States, but for some age groups, it's much higher," Stang said. "For the 18-35 group, it's closer to the second or third leading cause of death. There were about 48,000 suicides in the United States in 2021. There's a lot of them."
Central Kansas Partnership is hosting the 11th Annual Golden Belt Glow for Life at Veterans Memorial Park 5K/1 mile Walk & Remembrance on Sept. 16. Pre-registration for $25 before Aug. 31 guarantees a shirt, glow accessories, and snacks. Late registration begins at the large shelter at the park at 6 p.m. the night of the event.
"You can be around people that understand suicide, that have been through it," Stang said. "People that they knew that committed suicide. Sometimes that's very healing to be among people who understand that. It's a unique kind of a thing for survivors."
Recovery Out Loud is hosting a celebration of family and friends who are recovering from substance abuse or mental illness at Jack Kilby Square on Friday, Sept. 22. A Narcan March begins at 5:30 p.m., with the celebration continuing at 6:30.
Pedal for Prevention takes off on Saturday, Sept. 23 at 6 p.m. from the bike ramps at Brit Spaugh Park. Registration for the third annual Devin's Ride is $20 and includes a shirt.
Find more information for each event or register by CLICKING HERE.