FSST Walk to Remember nearly doubles participation

The 437 Project (see related story) wasnt the only walk in September shining a light on suicide prevention and mental health resources. Locally, the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe hosted its 2nd annual Walk to Remember, and turnout nearly doubled close to 70 people registered this year.
The goal, said tribal Mental Health and Addiction Counselor Lacey Richard, is simple: keep building awareness, keep building participation.
It was wonderful to see so many families and little ones attending this event, she said. The goal of the walk is to provide a place to heal and remember our relatives and friends whom weve lost to suicide. There can be stigma for those who have died by suicide, which can impact the grieving process for family and friends.
Richard said the walk grew out of a grassroots remembrance gathering three years ago. That first event showed just how deeply the community needed a space like this.
We want to let those individuals know that there is always someone to provide help and support even at their hardest of moments, she said.
The need is real and urgent. According to the CDC, in 2023 alone, 12.8 million people seriously considered suicide. Of those, 3.7 million developed a plan, 1.5 million made an attempt, and more than 49,000 died. Thats one death every 11 minutes. Men account for 80 percent of those deaths, women 20 percent. No community is untouched.
Richard hopes families leave the walk with a sense of peace and connection. We appreciate all the time and memories that we were privileged to have with those who have passed away, she said, adding that she wants people to know theyre not alone in grief or in struggle.
Help is only a call away. Dial 988 for the suicide and crisis lifeline. AllianceofHope.org also offers a 24/7 online forum and counseling support for anyone who has lost a loved one to suicide. Local counseling services are available in and around Flandreau, both in person and online. Mending Broken Hearts is another area group focused on grief and healing.
For those who want to be part of the solution, Richard said programs like ASIST, QPR, or Mental Health First Aid are often free or low-cost and offer training to help support someone in crisis.