OPMS students to stage community Walk for Life Suicide Prevention event

In the United States a person dies by suicide every 15 minutes, claiming over 35,000 lives each year. From 2000-09, suicide took the lives of 3,361 people in the San Diego region. Many of them were children and young adults.

In an effort to raise awareness about youth suicide and to raise money for suicide prevention programs in the Ramona Unified School District, Olive Peirce Middle School WEB (Where Everybody Counts) students will host the 3rd Annual Walk for Life Suicide Prevention event at the RHS football field from 3 to 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 21.

Among 5- to 14-year-olds, suicide is the fifth leading cause of death, reports Michele Mauney, OPMS counselor. Among 15- to 24-year-olds, suicide is the third leading cause of death. The fastest-growing group completing suicide is children between the ages of 10 and 14. This rate has doubled in the past two decades.

“Our goal is to provide resources and training in our community for youth and their families, to reduce the chances of losing another child to the tragedy of suicide,” said Mauney. “The community is welcome to participate in our walk to support this important event.”

For more information contact Mauney at mmauney@ramonausd.net.