Don’t struggle in silence: Norfolk 5K to raise awareness, funds for suicide prevention
NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — Sarah Michelle Peterson would be 25 today. The Norfolk teen hated the stigma of being the girl with the mental health issues.
“Often when someone struggles with mental health, they do struggle in silence,” said Amy Woods, programming coordinator at the Sarah Michelle Peterson Foundation.
Sarah’s parents started the SMPF after she died by suicide in 2014 to save others from suicide, and 10 years later, SMPF has launched the 300K project.
“It comes from the basis of CPR,” Woods said.
CPR works to save lives. According to the National Institutes of Health, if 15% of the population is trained in CPR, the survival rate from cardiac arrest goes up. SMPF believes if they can train 15% of the Hampton Roads’ population — that’s 300,000 people — in suicide prevention, we’ll see that death rate go down.
“All of the programs that we use, our national evidence-based program,” Woods said. “So they’re not things that we make up, but we know that they’ve been tried and tested by professionals.”
They take the programs into schools, where they teach kids as young as third grade. The young students get lessons geared to their level, while older kids get a different lesson. There are certifications for adults too.
Since the SMPF wants everyone to get trained, they don’t charge for the programs.
“So it costs us money to put on the programs therefore … the race, which is so beautiful,” Woods said.
‘Don’t Struggle in Silence’ is a 5K to help fund the 300K. It’ll start and end Saturday at Benchtop Brewing Company, 1129 Boissevain Ave., in Norfolk. The route will run along the Elizabeth River Trail.
There will be a party after the 5K where you can find resources for help. Race entry fees and proceeds from drink sales will go to the SMPF.
“The goal is to save a life,” Woods said. “And we know that we can have a world without suicide.”
More information
If you would like to sign up for the 5K, click here.
If you’re interested in having the SMPF come out to your school or organization for training click here.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com.
