Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Walk for Life to focus on awareness, prevention, resources

The 6th Annual Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Walk for Life will take place at the Ramona High School football field on Saturday, Oct. 25, from 4 to 7 p.m. Registration will begin at 3:30 p.m.

There is no registration fee to participate in the walk. It is a free event.

The community event is to raise awareness about suicide prevention and issues contributing to the mental health of youth. Proceeds from the event will provide programs in the Ramona Unified School District that address bullying, mental health issues, stress reduction and team building among students.

The event will include the Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC) color guard, guest speakers, local singers Olivia Jensen and Rhianna Wilson, a local rock band, Zumba instruction, and more.

Organizations providing information and resources will include Palomar Health, North County Health Services, North Inland Community Prevention Program, Vista Hill SmartCare, Peer2Peer, Alateen, Ramona Sheriff’s Department, and Ramona Fire Department.

Food and drinks will be available for purchase, and there will be face painting.

The reflection area will allow participants to write messages of hope and to post pictures and poems on the

Memory Wall. Walkers will be able to decorate bags with written messages for memory tea light bags that will light the football field at sunset.

Memory beads of different colors will be available to wear that represent various issues experienced personally about suicide.

“Our goal is to provide resources and training in our community for youth and their families, to reduce the risk of losing another child to the tragedy of suicide,” said Nancy Roy, community outreach liaison at Palomar Health and Ramona resident serving on the event organizing committee.

In the United States a person dies by suicide every 15 minutes, claiming approximately 35,000 lives each year. From 2000-09, suicide took the lives of 3,361 in the county.

Among 5- to 14-year-olds, suicide is the fifth leading cause of death. 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.

For more information contact Kristina Krohne, Sun Valley PTA president, at kristinakrohne@gmail.com.

Check donations may be made payable to Sun Valley PTA, Olive Peirce Middle School, Attn: Michele Mauney, 1521 Hanson Lane, Ramona, CA 92065.