“P.S. I Love You” Suicide Prevention Walk is Saturday in Gwinn

The “P.S. I Love You” Suicide Prevention Walk will be held in Gwinn this weekend.  It will begin at Gwinn High School at 10:00 a.m., walking to Gilbert Elementary – and then back to Gwinn High School.  It’s being organized by the Youth Advisory Council (Y.A.C.) at Gwinn High School.

Following the walk there will be a tree planting ceremony and reception at the high school.
“P.S. I Love You” t-shirts will be given to the first 50 registrants.  Organizers are asking walkers to wear purple to show support of “P.S. I Love You.”

There is no charge to participate, butt donations will be accepted during registration. The money raised will go to the Voices for Youth Outreach Program in Gwinn.

During the past school year the Y.A.C. has been holding monthly “P.S. I Love You” Days. “P.S. I Love You” Day is a day to show your support to friends and family members that are struggling with depression and other mental health issues. The group says it’s a way to
let your friends know that you care about them and love them.

The idea for “P.S. I Love You” Day came from a Long Island, New York teenager who lost her father to suicide. Brooke DiPalma, 15, created a YouTube video designed to offer support for those struggling with depression. She also started a “P.S. I Love You” Day movement at schools around the New York area.

The Youth Advisory Council at Gwinn High School decided to designate one day a month as “P.S. I Love You” Day. On the 3rd Tuesday of every month, students and staff wear
something purple as a sign of love and caring for those battling depression. The simple
gesture of wearing purple speaks volumes. Everyone needs a reminder that they are loved.
The Y.A.C. made the decision last fall to organize a Suicide Prevention Walk for the Gwinn
community.

The students have been working hard planning the event. The Y.A.C. wrote a grant to the Marquette County Substance Abuse and Violence Prevention Coalition and was awarded $500.00 to help fund the Suicide Prevention Walk. It was an obvious choice to name the walk the “P.S. I Love You” Suicide Prevention Walk.

The “P.S. I Love You” walk in Gwinn will be held Saturday, May 18, beginning at the Gwinn High School.  Registration is 9:00 – 10:00 a.m., the walk begins at 10:00 a.m.