Louis Zylka
The 830 Times
A national suicide prevention and awareness event will take place at the Val Verde County Courthouse, 400 Pecan St., on Saturday, Sept. 19, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Carmen Abreu, event organizer and the community outreach and development officer in Del Rio, spoke with The 830 Times to give some information about the first inaugural “Shine a Light” event. Abreu said she is hoping to see a good turnout on Saturday, adding about 200 people have registered to receive inaugural “Shine a Light” shirts at the event.
Six to eight resource tables will be set up outside the courthouse to provide information about local outreach groups in the area that specialize in treating mental health. Some of the groups to be represented include West Texas Counseling and Guidance, the Veterans Services Program, Val Verde Regional Medical Center and BCFS Health and Human Resources.
The event will also have a “Presentation of Hope” segment with a prayer, a song and guest speakers to help give the community hope and words of encouragement. A memorial wall will be displayed with the names of those who lost their lives to suicide.
People attending will also receive a luminary-light box to light up and add the name of someone who passed away from a suicide-related incident, which Abreu said will signify “stomping out the darkness.”
The event will continue after the “Presentation of Hope” with two laps around the courthouse, signifying 988 steps, which represents the lifeline crisis number. Several more groups will be in attendance to participate in the two laps around the courthouse, including the Queen City Belles, The Might Ram Band, several sports groups and the Val Verde Pageant winners. Abreu mentioned her committee is inviting all local businesses, churches, civic organizations, clubs and athletic teams to the event to learn about the resources.
“We are walking for those who we have lost and standing for those that are struggling. We want to remind the entire community that nobody is alone and their lives matter. (The laps) is more than a finish line; we have to keep reaching out and keep choosing hope,” Abreu said.
Abreu said people can also donate at the event to support the community’s zero suicide program, which provides rapid counseling to those in crisis in the community.
