UT Health Quitman Senior Life Solutions will spend September bringing awareness to suicide prevention with several activities planned throughout the month.
The events will include a “Paint the Town Purple and Teal” campaign, a challenge for local businesses, distribution of educational materials and a Sept. 19 awareness walk at Jim Hogg Park.
Crystal Lynn, program director for Senior Life Solutions, said suicide prevention starts with education, recognizing warning signs and being willing to talk about mental health.
“Suicide awareness and prevention is a major public health crisis,” Lynn said. 
Lynn said breaking the stigma, educating the community about warning signs and connecting people with resources can help prevent suicide.
“We need to empower everyday people, not just professionals, to identify warning signs and have the courage to reach out to those that have critical shifts like social withdrawal, extreme mood swings or expressing hopelessness,” Lynn said.
Lynn said there is a particular need to pay attention to older adults. According to information from the National Council on Aging provided by Lynn, older adults are among those at greatest risk for suicide.
Chronic illness, the death of a spouse or longtime friends, social isolation and feeling disconnected from others are among the risk factors seniors may face.
Lynn said the stigma surrounding mental health can also keep people from talking about what they are experiencing or asking for help.
“The old stigma of ‘if I don’t talk about it, it didn’t happen’ has to be eradicated,” Lynn said. 
“Everyone needs to start talking and making it part of everyday conversations to stop this unnecessary shame,” Lynn said. 
The September activities begin Sept. 1-4 with “Paint the Town Purple and Teal.” Senior Life Solutions will place yard signs and purple and teal ribbons throughout the community.
A business challenge will be held Sept. 8-11 for the best painted window supporting suicide prevention and awareness.
From Sept. 14-18, 50 goodie bags containing educational materials will be distributed to local businesses.
The suicide awareness walk will be held Saturday, Sept. 19 at Jim Hogg Park. Registration and check-in will be from 7 to 7:45 a.m., with the walk beginning at 8 a.m.
Walkers will receive a strand of purple and teal beads for each lap completed. Lynn is also asking local businesses to sponsor sections of the walking path and have representatives there to offer encouragement and support.
A celebration tree will follow the walk to remember those who have died by suicide and support those left behind. Each walker will receive a laminated memorial card where they can write the name of a loved one. The cards will then be placed on a designated tree in the park.
The month’s activities will wrap up Sept. 21-25 with the distribution of 400 laminated positivity pocket cards.
Lynn hopes the activities will get people talking about suicide prevention and encourage residents to reach out when they see someone struggling.
“Together, our community can help bring awareness, spread hope, support each other and help save lives,” Lynn said.
Anyone experiencing a mental health or suicidal crisis can call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.