COLD LAKE - On March 7, more than 50 people gathered at the Cold Lake Energy Centre to take part in a suicide awareness walk organized by students in the Portage College Community Social Work Program.
The event aimed to raise awareness and spread hope to those affected by suicide.
"I'm one of the students in the Portage College Community Social Work Program, and we have a community development class, and then we have a group project, so there is five of us in the group," said Luxmanan Kulasingam.
Participants walked 2 km from the Energy Centre to the Lutheran Church on the Millennium Trail, carrying banners and wearing “Light the Darkness” hoodies. They paused for a moment of silence, holding electric candles in remembrance of those lost.
After the walk, attendees gathered in the Student Association room in Portage College, where they were treated to pizza donated by Boston Pizza and had the opportunity to share their experiences and memories of loved ones.
"We collaborated with the Native Council Service and Portage College Mental Wellness Centre. They also supported us with flyers and advice and everything," Kulasingam said.
The event also raised funds by selling hoodies, with over $700 collected for the Kids Help Phone. Kulasingam noted they plan to sell the remaining hoodies at the Lac La Biche college campus to raise more funds.
The walk resonated with participants, many of whom had experienced loss. Kulasingam shared how attendees opened up about their stories and expressed a desire for more awareness initiatives in the community.
Kulasingam and his peers hope to make the suicide awareness walk an annual tradition.
Organizers were encouraged by the turnout and the conversations sparked by the event.
"It's very, very important to all the communities, but especially in the Cold Lake community, they want to get more support because most of them live there for a work purpose and now we have more immigrants and so everybody needs support . . . They want to feel mentally strong. So, this kind of awareness lets them know we are not alone," Kulasingam said.
