Editor, News-Register:

On Sunday, April 27, 2025, Jerry’s Walk — Illuminating Suicide Awareness held its ninth annual suicide prevention Walk in St. Clairsville. The event is an opportunity to encourage an open conversation around suicide with a goal of removing the stigma attached to what is truly a public health crisis. That stigma results in silence that tragically causes so many who are suffering to avoid seeking the help they need and deserve. The Walk also allows those that have survived a loss to suicide to come together and offer each other support.

Jerry’s Walk wishes to thank everyone who came out to walk with us — your presence alone advanced the cause of suicide prevention. We are also grateful to all of those who were not able to join us for the Walk, but who generously donated to our work. We extend a special thank you to each of our committed volunteers, who unselfishly donated their time and energy to make certain the Walk was a success as well as to the community resources who gave of their time to acquaint our attendees with the mental health and suicide prevention services available in the area.

Jerry’s Walk is especially grateful to its sponsors who made this year’s event possible. Specifically, we thank the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation; Jim & Lisa Osborne; the Mental Health & Recovery Board Belmont, Harrison and Monroe Counties; WVU Medicine; Edward Jones/Jason Ogden; Toothman Funeral Home; The Wheeling Nailers Booster Club; NAMI Greater Wheeling; Rotary Club of St. Clairsville; and Kroger.

We give a special thanks to Colerain Golf Car sales for providing a much-needed golf cart on the day of the Walk and to Panhandle Cleaning and Restoration for supplying bottled water and snacks for our walkers.

Jerry’s Walk looks forward to continuing its work with the community in the coming year to stamp out the stigma that keeps the discussion of suicide in the shadows — and to raise awareness of the need for new prevention efforts. Information on our efforts, and resources for those looking for help, may be found at www.jerryswalk.org, as well as on Facebook and Instagram.

Jerry Williams Family