FORT WAYNE, IND. – Aug. 11, 2025– Losing a loved one or another important person in your life can be an overwhelmingly tough experience. If the loss is due to suicide, grief can be even more difficult and complex. Connecting with others who have endured similar experiences — and uniting to encourage people contemplating suicide to reach out for help — can aid survivors and those left behind in their healing journey.
It can also save lives. That’s why the team of mental health professionals with Parkview Behavioral Health Institute (PBHI) – Park Center is sponsoring a Suicide Awareness Walk in Fort Wayne on Saturday, Sept. 20, during National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. The event's message: No one is alone because help is available 24/7.
“Suicide rates are still a challenge, as they continue to climb in Indiana, especially among men and teens,” says Laura Murphy, LMHC, MHA, director of clinical services for PBHI – Park Center and organizer of the walk. “We want people to know that we are here to help them without judgment. PBHI offers a range of support options for those who are thinking about or have been affected by suicide. With this walk, it’s our goal to foster a welcoming, empathetic, and caring environment.”
Suicide affects many people in our community, so it’s imperative that we do something to bring awareness to those who may need help,” says Dr. Matthew Runyan. “It’s our hope that this walk provides community members with encouragement, guidance, and the support that they deserve.
The Suicide Awareness Walk will be held at North Side High School, 475 E. State Blvd. in Fort Wayne, from 4 to 6 p.m. Check-in begins at 4 p.m., followed by opening remarks at 4:30 p.m. The one-mile walk (four laps) around the track will take place from 4:45 to 6 p.m.
Attendees who have lost a loved one and wish to honor their memory, or who want to uplift someone dealing with suicidal thoughts, can honor them with their walk. Walkers will have the opportunity to decorate a paper cut-out of a balloon with the person’s name; the balloons will be displayed on a sky-themed banner during the event as a symbolic “balloon launch” (an environmentally friendly alternative to releasing latex or mylar balloons into the air). Balloon decoration will take place at check-in.
Each participant who registers by Aug. 24 will receive a free event T-shirt at check-in. Sizes run from small to 3X. The back of the greyshirt says “You are not alone” with familiar suicide prevention symbols: the semicolon and awareness ribbon, along with 988 national lifeline information.
During the event, restroom facilities will be available on-site, and strollers and service animals will be permitted at the track.
To register,visit Parkview.com/SuicideAwarenessWalk. Participants must register by Aug. 24 to receive a T-shirt. For questions or more information, call 260-273-2646.
Help is always available
Parkview Behavioral Health Institute – Park Center, is based in Fort Wayne at 909 East State Blvd., with additional offices at 1909 Carew St. and 2710 Lake Ave. Rural offices are located at 809 High St. in Decatur, 1115 S. Main St. in Bluffton, and 26 Victory Noll Dr. in Huntington, Indiana. The PBHI HelpLine, 260-471-9440 (or 800-284-8439 toll-free), is open 24/7 for individuals who are experiencing a crisis or need information on behavioral health services. Experienced HelpLine specialists provide confidential assessments, information and referrals for services, or admission assistance for inpatient or outpatient services, if needed.
Anyone in crisis or experiencing mental distress and in need of support can also call or text 988 to reach mental health professionals via the nationwide 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. 988 provides confidential, 24/7 help through a network of more than 200 crisis centers supported by state and federal resources.