The Carroll County Health Council, in partnership with Bethel University, will host a Suicide Prevention Glow Walk on Tuesday, Sept. 22, at 7 p.m. at the Vera Low Center parking lot in McKenzie. The event will include resource tables, free glow gear, and refreshments, and it is designed to bring neighbors together in support of suicide prevention and mental health awareness. This is a simple but meaningful kind of community response. A glow walk does more than create a visible moment on the calendar; it says that people who are hurting should not be invisible. It turns grief, concern, and remembrance into action, giving families and students a shared space to learn, talk, and stand beside one another. For Christian readers, this kind of gathering echoes the call to bear one another’s burdens. When a community walks together for prevention, it reflects the heart of Christ, who draws near to the weary and wounded. God does not stand at a distance from pain; he meets people in it, offering nearness when words fail. Romans 15:13, NIV, also speaks hope into dark places: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Suicide prevention work is not only about crisis response. It is also about restoring hope, strengthening support, and reminding struggling souls that their lives still matter. Events like this glow walk can help a community notice suffering earlier, speak more openly about mental health, and extend care before a crisis deepens. For a Christian community, that witness should include prayer, practical support, and a willingness to sit with those who are hurting. Hope often begins with one step, one conversation, and one community that refuses to look away.
The Christian Association for Survivors of Suicide Loss, Inc. (suicideloss.org) provides support to those who have lost a loved one to suicide through support groups and church support. If you are in crisis, dial 988 or 911 for assistance.
