Blunt MS walk brings spotlight to suicide awareness, prevention

Students at Aransas Pass ISD’s Blunt Middle School have taken to shining light on fundraising and awareness for the prevalence of suicide, and the school’s most recent effort looks to have been strong once again.

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On March 28, Aransas Pass ISD’s Blunt Middle School and its HOPE Squad took part in the third annual Darkness to Light Walk-A-Thon to raise money for suicide awareness and prevention. And though donations were not fully calculated as of press time, the goal for this year was to raise at least $1,500.

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“The most fulfilling part was watching kids struggle to reach their goal of 50 laps even though they were tired and their feet and legs hurt. Watching them push themselves to raise money for something that will benefit others was rewarding,” said Blunt Middle School counselor Lisa Durham, who organized the walk.

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The annual event initially came to fruition thanks to a previous Blunt Middle School counselor three years ago, according to Durham. Each year, students from the HOPE Squad ask for pledges from friends, family and community members. Sponsors can choose to pledge an amount per lap walked or a flat donation.

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From midnight-7 a.m., Durham said students had a goal of 50 laps, and following the walk students went back to their sponsors and collected the donations based on the number of laps they completed that night.

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Each year, the HOPE Squad and their invited friends participate in the Walk-A-Thon to promote Suicide Awareness and Prevention. About half the money raised will be kept at the school to help fund future HOPE Squad activities, Durham said, while the rest will be donated to the Texas Suicide Prevention Collaborative – which gives money to fund South Texas communities such as Aransas Pass, Taft, Rockport and Portland.

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“Raising awareness will reduce the stigma around suicide and hopefully reduce the occurrence and increase the mental health support,” Durham said.

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There were about 20 students who took part in this year’s HOPE Squad Walk-A-Thon, and they said they enjoyed being able to make even a small difference.

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“I thought it was very helpful, and running laps shows how much we really care about suicide awareness. It was really fun,” seventh-grader Amyah Shetters said.

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Fellow seventh grader Julian Reyes had the same sentiment.

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“I thought it was an amazing thing. It was a really fun experience,” Reyes said. “We got to know other people from Rockport-Fulton Middle School and got some exercise.”

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In the end, all involved said that it was fun to be able to get some exercise (and eventually some rest) while raising awareness for such an important cause.

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"I thought it was cool,” sixth grader Leeonah Underwood said. “I liked raising money to send a message to help people who attempt suicide, so they could feel like they don't have to do that anymore."

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Originally published at https://www.southtexasnews.com/san_patricio_county/blunt-ms-walk-brings-spotlight-to-suicide-awareness-prevention/article_cd4246a2-8adb-4ae0-be6c-d99a96832fa5.html