2024 Chalk the Walk at Baptist Health Paducah
PADUCAH — In honor of National Suicide Prevention Day, healthcare providers and patients at Baptist Health in Paducah created the first "Chalk the Walk" mural on Monday to express support for individuals dealing with suicidal thoughts.
More than 50 sidewalk squares at Baptist Health in Paducah are covered in artwork that aims to show support for those in the community who might be struggling with thoughts of suicide. This square says, "You are my Sunshine".
The walk incorporates hand-drawn artwork and uplifting quotes on the sidewalk between medical parks one and three. Roughly 50 squares were covered with designs aimed at providing hope and displaying a supportive community.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, in 2022, there were 823 deaths by suicide in Kentucky. In the same year, nationally, more than 49,000 people died by suicide.
Susan Guess participated in the event, drawing art in memory of her brother Mark who died in 2006 by suicide. His birthday is approaching, so the walk was personal for her and many others who participated — especially to honor those who have been left behind and relieve the guilt felt by many loved ones.
Susan Guess writes, "There is Help. There is hope." on a sidewalk square at Baptist Health Paducah on Tuesday for the inaugural Chalk the Walk event. She includes the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline number "988" in hopes someone who needs it will call for help.
"My brother had attempted suicides 18 times in six months," Guess said. "Most of the time he'd take pills and then he'd panic and call 911. Probably the saddest thing for me is he called me from there, and we had people at the house, so I said, 'Call me back,' and I never got that callback."
Susan Guess, left, and her brother Mark stand for the very last photo they would take together. Mark committed suicide in 2006. Since then, Susan has worked in the community teaching others how to spark conversations with someone who might be having suicide ideations.
In the years following, Guess had made it a point to encourage others to know the signs of someone who might be struggling with thoughts of suicide. She hopes the walk can help debunk stigmas surrounding suicide.
"I think people felt like it was weakness when people had mental health issues when they contemplated or they died by suicide," Guess said. "I think people just don't realize the hurt and how much they want to live. I think today, we understand it better. There's better avenues for help, and again, there's conversation to know that it's okay to not be okay."
Baptist Health's Director of Case Management Amy Terry said suicide can weigh heavy on family and friends. Staying vigilant and knowing how to assess if someone is having suicidal thoughts is key in the fight for prevention.
Director of Case Management Amy Terry encourages everyone to know the signs of a person who might be having suicidal thoughts. Look for things like depression, or somebody that's withdrawing themselves from friends and family.
"Some of the things to look for are depression, somebody that's withdrawing themselves from friends, family, isolation, change in behavior, someone that is making threats, you know, things like that," Terry said.
She also encouraged people to not be afraid of asking tough questions. She said asking questions like, "Is there anything that we can do?," or "Are you having problems?," would make a great conversation starter.
Cigna Healthcare notes to avoid asking questions like, "It can’t be that bad," "You have so much to live for," or, "You can’t do that to your family."
This square was made by WPSD's Jeremiah Hatcher.
"By being open and communicating about suicide awareness and suicide prevention, it helps, you know, the community know that we are here to help them," Terry said. "It provides them a safe haven to discuss how they're feeling as well."
If you need someone to talk to, call the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. From there you'll be connected with a suicide prevention, mental health, or substance abuse counselor in your area.
According to the CDC, in 2022, there were 823 deaths by suicide in Kentucky. Baptist Health's "Chalk the Walk" aims to help decrease that number by providing a different kind of support for people who might be suicidal.
