STAY Walk, Run Rally - Raising Awareness and Connecting People! What a Success!

By: Kat Robb Editor with the Aitkin Independent Age Newspaper

The Aitkin County Committee for the Awareness and Prevention of Suicide (CAPS) held an event July 20 to promote awareness, connect people with local resources and provide education on risk factors and signs of suicide. The STAY: Walk, Run & Rally began at 8:30 a.m. with a 5K Color Run for Life, from Paulbeck’s County Market, through the Aitkin Walking Trail, through the Aitkin City Park and finally to the Aitkin County Fairgrounds. Volunteers threw color at the runners at surprise points along the way. People could also find sponsors and walk around the fairgrounds. There were bounce houses, games, vendors, food and mental health resources. Live music was performed by Mike and Jan Cherry and Christian McShane.

Bill Dehrkes from Face It Foundation, Shoreview, spoke about depression, facing depression, reaching out and getting support. According to the Face It Foundation, “Millions of men experience depression, but far fewer seek help. The Face It Foundation gives men the support they need to face depression, take control of their recovery and get their lives back.” Face It Foundation is in the process of establishing a retreat center in northern Minnesota.

A group from Grand Rapids presented “If We Can Save Just One.” Many members of this group have lost someone to suicide. They want to encourage people to STAY and to help them recognize that their loss would bring pain to their family, their friends and their communities.

Members of the Purdy family were at the event in honor of Clayton Purdy, an Aitkin area 19-year-old who recently died by suicide. Clayton’s brother Dylan spoke during the event. Funding for the event was provided by a grant from the UCare Foundation and a mini-grant from the Region V+ Mental Health Initiative.

CAPS partnered with the Aitkin County Fairgrounds, Aitkin County Economic Development, the Aitkin Area Chamber of Commerce, the McGregor Chamber of Commerce, Hill City Community Education, the Aitkin and Hill City Lions, the Aitkin Police Department, Paulbeck’s County Market, Aitkin County Fire Department, Aitkin County Community Corrections, Aitkin Women of Today and Aitkin County Friends of the Arts. City of Aitkin police officers and members of the Aitkin County Sheriff’s Department were also at the event.