Bluebird Run will mark 10th year of nurturing hope, suicide awareness

The Bluebird Run for Brookie B supporting NAMI Tallahassee (National Alliance on Mental Illness) will rise with the sun on Labor Day morning at JR Alford Greenway in Tallahassee for the 10th time.

Since 2015 this important community event has grown to welcome 500 supporters annually. The group's message of suicide awareness and prevention seems to become more important every year. Mental health support is growing, but the need is growing faster. At BluebirdRun.com you can find the full details about the event and our mission.

If you know someone who you think may be experiencing thoughts of suicide, talk to them. Listen well and take them seriously.

Ask them, “Do you think about suicide?” Yes, it’s hard. But it is even harder to lose our loved one because we didn’t act — we didn’t see their hopelessness or were afraid to ask. Discussion offers an opportunity for intervention. Only then will the healing begin.

Let’s all change the way we talk about suicide. No one “commits” suicide. It is not a crime. People “die by suicide.” They die with unbearable pain and hopelessness, often hearing voices they can’t control.

Our adult daughter died by suicide. We surrounded her with all the love in the world. Yet with her depression and anxiety, she could not find a reason to live. She could not find hope in her heart.

In memory of our loved ones who died by suicide and those survivors left behind, we will support each other and share a little sunshine at the Bluebird Run and Walk for Brookie B for Suicide Awareness and Prevention on Labor Day, Sept. 2.

There is nothing more important to living well than having hope. With hope, we can always dream of a better tomorrow. Nurture hope—in yourself and those you love!

If you or someone you love is having thoughts of suicide, call 988, the National Suicide Prevention Helpline. Visit NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Tallahassee at nami-tallahassee.org .

Bill and Mary Bowers lost their daughter to suicide in 2012.

If you go

What : 10th annual Bluebird Run/Walk for Brookie B, to raise suicide awareness, and promote prevention and postvention

When : The one-mile fun run (or walk) begins at 8 a.m.; the 5K run, 8:30 a.m., Monday, Sept. 2

Where: JR Alford Greenway, 2500 Pedrick Road (at the very end of the street)

Registration: $25-$15; Bring the family, join the fun – food, music, and snow cones! Visit bluebirdrun.com for more info. On site registration is available.

Details: For more info, email admin@nami-tallahassee.org , or call 850-841-3386. If you or someone you know is in crisis, call 988

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Bluebird Run will mark 10th year of nurturing hope, suicide awareness