OAK HILL, WV (WOAY) – This September 27 you can help support a great cause by participating in Wheeling for Hope’s second annual event to benefit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
Suicide is the second leading cause of death among West Virginians ages 10 to 34.
“And that is only secondary to a combined first, which is all accidental deaths in the state of West Virginia,” said founder Michelle Riser. “So that tells me it’s actually probably the number one cause of death in the state of West Virginia.”
Raising awareness can save lives. And if one life is saved, one person is given hope not to commit suicide, that’s huge.
“If one person that is struggling from mental health issues and doesn’t know where to turn, doesn’t know where to find an outlet or counseling or assistance, we can provide that and we can show them the way,” Riser said.
We’ve all struggled at one point or another with anxiety, depression or a mental health issue. But it’s not something that we necessarily talk about. This event creates a dialogue. Wheeling for Hope utilizes jeeping and side-by-side.
“And the Appalachian triangle — Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia as a means to increase your mental health. Gets you out around people. It boosts your mood and lifts your spirits,” said Riser. “There’s a calm and connectivity with being in nature and what better setting do we have but in the state of West Virginia.”
This is a jam-packed event; with food and merchandise vendors, bands, 1500 acres of trails for off-road vehicles, and an obstacle course challenge. Riser says most importantly she advocates for the counseling area — encompassing 10 to 14 different mental health awareness groups.
“From West Virginia Rural Health to Mission 22 to the Veteran’s Administration, to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention,” she said. “We offer free counseling over those three days. We also offer ways for them to help themselves with mental health. We offer people to tell their story.”
Wheeling for Hope offers many resources, including raising awareness about the 988 Suicide Lifeline. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention lobbied to provide this confidential support call or text outlet for anyone in distress. Riser says it’s underutilized because not many people know about it.
“I think the texting part is extremely important, seeing as how that second leading cause of death encompasses ten-year-olds and up who tend to want to text and be on their phones,” she said. “A lot of them do not know how to verbally express their emotions and feelings. This gives them an opportunity to text someone safely.”
Know you’re not alone and the Wheeling for Hope event is a start.
“Make sure that they get the proper help and assistance they need,” Riser said. “Drop those rates, that is our main goal.”
IF YOU WANT TO KNOW MORE
https://aceraft.com/event/wheeling-for-hope
https://4festevents.com/wheeling-for-hope-benefiting-the-american-foundation-for-suicide-prevention
https://backroadsofappalachia.org/event/wheeling-for-hope-2nd-annual
