RICHLAND, Wash. – A sea of yellow filled Lee Boulevard in Richland as community members gathered to participate in the 10th annual Take Strides Tri-Cities Walk. The event spreads awareness for youth suicide prevention.
Chandra Markel, a counselor at Richland High School and founder of Take Strides Tri-Cities, emphasized the importance of the event.
“We have this walk every year. And it is just to educate, to reduce stigma, community awareness and also to remember those that we’ve lost from suicide,” Markel said.
The Richland High School drum line led hundreds of participants from Fran Rish Stadium to the HAPO Stage at John Dam Plaza. More than 30 behavioral health vendors and other resources were available to provide support.
“There’s kids in every school walking our halls in the Tri-Cities that are suffering and need these resources,” Markel said. “So I think this is a great way to come out and I want every kid to feel seen, supported, to know they’re loved and that suicide should never be an option.”
Markel said most people feel uncomfortable when talking about suicide and she wants to change that.
“I put something on Facebook, right? And I might get like 200 likes over a silly picture. If I post something about suicide prevention, I might get five,” Markel said. “And it’s like, where are all those people that are liking my other post? But it’s again, it’s so hard to talk about and makes people so uncomfortable that we’re not having the conversation.”
The walk is the only event Take Strides Tri-Cities puts on each year, but Markel said they are looking to possibly expand their resources and events in the future.
