COVID-19 has once again caused a major schedule adjustment in the local community this year.
Beacon for Hope Suicide Prevention Executive Director Melissa Owen recently announced the organization has had to cancel one of its signature events and postpone another to next year. The Hope Links Us Together Suicide Prevention Walk, scheduled for next Saturday at the Bowyer Community Building, has had to be canceled due to concerns of potential COVID-19 spread.
Owen says the feeling amongst Beacon leadership was that certain mitigation strategies would eliminate some of the more important aspects of the event — hugging, physical comfort and support, etc. — which could lessen the impact the event is meant to have.
Owen says Beacon will still be holding a virtual fundraiser over the next week to support the organization, however, further details are pending. In addition to the walk’s cancellation, Owen says Beacon will be postponing its now annual Unmasking Suicide Masquerade Ball which had to be canceled last year due to the pandemic.
The masquerade was set to take place Nov. 6 and has now been moved to Apr. 9 of next year.
While the events have been taken off the calendar, Owen says Beacon will still be increasing its presence in the local community over the remainder of the year.
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness month and Owen encourages anyone who may be struggling with their mental health or thoughts of suicide to reach out and seek help. If you or someone you know is in need of Beacon’s services, visit their website Hopelinks.org, find them on Facebook, or call 620-481-9251.
You can also contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by calling 800-273-8255.
