Community Health Walks to Raise Awareness About Suicide

Rutland Area “Out of the Darkness” Community Walk Sep. 18th

“Suicide is a topic that is very difficult for individuals to speak about and increasing their comfort in being able to talk about it also increases the ability for us to provide services to individuals who might be struggling with suicidal thoughts,” said Jason Keicher, LICSW at Community Health Rutland. “We are working toward achieving zero suicide in Vermont.”

Awareness campaigns like the Rutland Area Out of the Darkness Walk to Prevent Suicide which takes place on Saturday, September 18^th, educates the community and allows individuals to support one another and acknowledge that suicide is preventable.

“The walk in September raises awareness by saying this is still an issue in our community, an issue we are struggling with,” Keicher said. “It invites the conversations among individuals because some people will ask why we are having this walk for suicide.”

“If a person feels they are struggling with feelings of sadness, depression or feelings of suicidality the biggest thing is to reach out, speak to someone, know that they are not alone. There are resources available for these individuals,” Keicher said.

As a Zero Suicide partner, Community Health collaborates with the Vermont Department of Health and the Suicide Prevention Center to raise the importance of recognizing symptoms of potential suicide and provide the skilled professionals and resources to address behavioral health illnesses like depression, anxiety and addiction recovery.

The walk begins at 9am at Main Street Park in Rutland. According to the Rutland Area Out of the Darkness walk website, “The health and safety of our participants, staff and volunteers will be our top priorities as we work with local authorities to make decisions about event details, and we’ll continue to offer options to participate online and in your neighborhood.”  Help promote the event through your social media networks, using the hashtags #OutoftheDarkness and #TogetherToFightSuicide.

For more information about Community Health’s Behavioral Health programs check our website, call 802-772-7922 or speak with your primary care provider.

Community Health is Vermont’s largest Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), a network of primary care, pediatric, behavioral health, dental and pharmacy services with offices in Rutland, Brandon, Castleton, West Pawlet and Shoreham. Community Dental offices are located in Rutland and Shoreham, Community Health Pediatrics is in Rutland and Behavioral Health services are available at all of our locations. Community Health Express Care Centers, open 7 days a week, are located at the Rutland and Castleton Community Health Centers. For career opportunities at Community Health’s network of health care services, check our Career Center

The mission of Community Health (Community Health Centers of the Rutland Region) is to improve the health and wellness of all people in the communities we serve by providing access to excellent medical and dental primary care regardless of any financial consideration.