Picture provided courtesy of Copper Shores. Last year's Suicide Prevention Walk. The walk will officially commence at 3 p.m. and start in front of the Ray Kestner Waterfront Park and cross the lift bridge and then return. The walk is aimed at raising awareness of suicide prevention and education on the subject.

HOUGHTON — Copper Shores Community Health Foundation will host the ninth annual Suicide Prevention Walk from 1 – 4 p.m. September 13 outside Ray Kestner Waterfront Park. The event will provide resources for those wanting to learn more about suicide prevention and remember those who died as a result of suicide. Organizers said the walk continues to raise awareness of how suicide impacts the local community since its inception nine years ago by the Houghton and Keweenaw Suicide Prevention Coalition.

The walk will go from the waterfront park then across the lift bridge and back. Organizers feel those in attendance will be there for various reasons, whether it is to show support, commemorate loved ones lost to suicide or learn about the subject. Copper Shores Program Director Kristine Martens said the walk did not start large, but over time people have been able to connect to one another over the subject and honor loved ones who passed from suicide and connect with others who share similar experiences. Martens said suicide does have an impact on the community, and in a profound way.

“Sometimes people don’t always realize that” she said. “Sometimes they think, if they don’t hear about it directly, maybe it’s not here, but we do have suicides in this community, and by doing events like this we’re hoping to get the word out. We’re going to have trainings available to sign up at the walks that are free for the community. We’re trying to raise awareness but overall, our goal is to decrease the suicides that happen in our area.”

The walk will provide numerous resources which can offer assistance or further educate interested individuals. The Houghton and Keweenaw Suicide Prevention Coalition raised funds to cover expenses for the event and reached out to sponsors within the community for assistance. Martens said funds which are raised within the event that go beyond the walk’s price will be used by the Coalition to release a small grant in 2026.

“And if we can keep this going, which likely will be able to, we’ll be able to put this granting out on an annual basis,” she said. “This will be granting money in a small amount. We haven’t set that amount yet, that’s going to go out to an agency or maybe agencies, if we have enough to fund work directly into suicide prevention intervention.”

While the subject matter is serious, Martens believes this event is a hopeful one which is geared towards how a community can come together to be action oriented and address the issue.

“You don’t always have to attend the suicide walk to be an active participant. We are seeking donations for the suicide walk if you’d like to do that, and if you just drive by that day, just give the walkers a little wave to let them know that you see them being impactful as well,” Martens said.

The first few events from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. will include crafts and other activities in preparation from the walk. At 2:30 p.m., the keynote speaker Andrew Kalcich will speak. Kalcich was raised in Calumet and survived an attempt on his own life in 2018. He will be sharing his experience in hopes to address the stigma of mental health and identifying signs of loved ones considering suicide. On the Copper Shores website, Kalcich says, “Though sharing mental health struggles is difficult, I believe it’s through honest, vulnerable conversations that we begin to heal and challenge the stigma.”

At 2:40 p.m. there will be a mindful moment, honoring those who have passed from suicide. Afterwards at 3 p.m. the walk across the bridge will commence.