Chickasaw Nation hosts suicide awareness walk June 4

Release Date: Wednesday, May 18, 2011
By Sharmina Manandhar, Media Relations Specialist
Chickasaw Nation Media Relations Office

The Chickasaw Nation is hosting a suicide awareness walk in memory of those who have died by suicide Saturday, June 4 in Tishomingo, Okla.

Deadline to register for the "Love Lives On" walk is 5 p.m., Monday, May 23.

Participants will sign in at the Chickasaw Nation Capitol building at 411 W 9th St. beginning 2 p.m. and walk to the nearby Pennington Park at 2:30 p.m. Several informational activities are planned at the Park until 6 p.m.

Registered participants will receive t-shirt, bracelet and a remembrance candle. Food and drinks will also be provided.

"This event is an important step toward increasing awareness about suicide as a public health epidemic," said Chickasaw Nation Gov. Bill Anoatubby. "It also offers hope to the individuals and families affected by suicide."

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states:

• More than 34,000 people die by suicide nationwide every year.
• Suicide is the third leading cause of deaths among 15 to 24-year-olds and fifth leading cause of deaths among five to 14-year-olds.
• More than 2,000 people attempt suicide every day.

The event is organized by the tribal Division of Health Meth/Suicide Prevention Initiative and Behavioral Health Department in participation with Tishomingo Chamber of Commerce.

To register for the event or to learn more, please contact Trisha Swift at (580) 421-4591 or Nancy Boston at (580) 371-2392 or Tishomingo Chamber of Commerce at (580) 371-2175.