Seymour raises awareness for mental health with inaugural Hope Walk event

SEYMOUR (WLUK) -- The rain may have caused a change of location, but it didn't stop the Seymour community from gathering together to raise awareness for mental health.

The Seymour Community School District hosted its inaugural Hope Walk on Friday.

Rather than walking around the high school track, the community took laps around Rock Ledge Intermediate School while also celebrating with games, trivia, treats and more.

Jennifer Siudzinski, Seymour school counselor and student success facilitator, says there is a great need in every community to care for mental health. But with the geographic isolation of the rural community, Siudzinski says that Seymour community members especially experience barriers to access mental health resources.

Siudzinski also said that with the long wait list for therapist and counselors, schools have become "de facto mental health providers."

Because of this, the district has four Hope Squads -- student groups that focus on creating connections and providing peer-to-peer suicide prevention.

Siudzinski says the groups aren't intended to push students into counselor roles. Rather, the Hope Squads are meant to encourage connections and provide students with resources to help their peers.

If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, FOX 11 has various suicide prevention resources available.