Hope & Remembrance Suicide Walk 2024

"My reason for organizing the Hope and Remembrance Suicide Awareness Walk: I lost my beautiful nephew Blaine Smith to suicide on January 4, 2020. Blaine was a 2018 graduate of Fort Payne High School, he was one of the funniest, sweetest, most loving people I have ever known. As I was saying my final goodbye to Blaine, I kissed him on the forehead and made a promise to him. I promised I would do something to honor his memory and try to change to way people view mental health and to help raise awareness to suicide prevention. Unfortunately, my family has suffered another loss to suicide, my first born, my son, Jason Barber took his life on February 24, 2024, Jason struggled for years with thoughts and attempts of suicide. As much as losing my son to suicide breaks my heart, I know I have to help bring awareness to suicide prevention and mental health. We need to change the stigma that surrounds mental health. You never know what someone is dealing with or their personal struggles. Let's be the change! Thank you for your support." -Shelly Sartain