Theme of togetherness runs through Beacon For Hope events Saturday

Suicide Prevention Month is every September, and Beacon For Hope Suicide Prevention had a big weekend for two completely different community events.

Beacon For Hope had its first Hope Links Us Together Suicide Prevention Walk since 2019, moving activities like healing activities, kids’ activities, food trucks to Soden’s Grove, where the Sertoma Club’s miniature train was running through the event. The event also featured a lived-experience speaker. Becky DeJesus, a supporter of Beacon For Hope since it began, says her involvement with Beacon “fills her soul.”

Following the walk was something completely new. The Emporia Granada Theatre held the premiere of the “Stronger than the Storm” docuseries, featuring the stories of 10 community members who have battled mental health concerns and thoughts of suicide. The videos are the result of conversations between Beacon Director Melissa Owen and KVOE’s Tagan Trahoon, who thanked the participants for their willingness to be involved.

Videographer Kenny Rodriguez, an Emporia Police officer, says he has dealt with anxiety and he has watched several family members deal with mental health concerns.