Always Remembered… Never Forgetten – ‘Warr;or Walk’ Helps Raise Awareness of Suicide, Remembers Those Lost

By April Hall, Staff Writer

To see more photos of this event, go to http://southsidemessengerphotos.shutterfly.com. Photos by April Hall

CHARLOTTE COURT HOUSE – A large crowd of nearly 100 people gathered Saturday night, September 17, 2016, to participate in the first ever “Warr;or Walk”, hosted by Bridgette Malsbury, Dianne Tuck and Anne Waters, to help raise awareness of suicide. All of these ladies have lost family members to suicide and planned the event in hopes of making the stigma surrounding suicide less taboo and to bring awareness.

The event, which coincided with Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month, began with participants gathering at the Charlotte County Administration Building in Charlotte Court House, with registration held at 6 p.m. and the walk promptly starting at 6:30 p.m. The walk, which wound its way through the Town of Charlotte Court House, ended back at the administration building, where a candlelight vigil was held to honor those whose lives were taken too soon.

Dianne Tuck, whose daughter Shauna Tuck Saunders was a victim of suicide, presented a heartfelt story on her loss and also shared facts on ways to prevent and raise awareness of suicide. During the candlelight vigil, Bridgette Malsbury, along with help from participating walkers, and whose sister, Rebecca Francis, was also a victim of suicide, read the numbing statistics of suicide. Suicide is the 10^th leading cause of death in the United States. Each year 42,773 Americans die by suicide. On average, there are 117 suicides per day. For every suicide, there are 25 attempts. Approximately 750,000 people attempt suicide each year in the U.S. Untreated depression is the number one cause of suicide.

Following the presentation, Lloyd Holt sang a beautiful rendition of Rascal Flatt’s ‘Why’, a song that is sung from the perspective of a man whose close friend died by suicide. “We would like to thank Lloyd Holt for singing ‘Why’ for us,” said Bridgette Malsbury. “This song speaks volumes to those of us who have lost someone we love to suicide.”

“We are so thankful for the outpouring of support that was shown to us,” said Malsbury. “Numerous individuals and businesses donated water and supplies for the event, and the number of people that participated in the walk filled our hearts with overwhelming gratitude.”

Not only was the walk a way to remember those lost, but also a way to shed light on prevention. “There is help available,” said Malsbury. “We want anyone who may be contemplating suicide to know that help is out there – talk to a friend, talk to a preacher, seek counseling, call the suicide hotline, you are not alone and your life matters.”

The National Suicide Prevention Hotline is available 24 hours a day, every day and can be reached by calling 1-800-273-8255, also available 24/7, is The Crisis Line of Central Virginia at 888-947-9747.