{"id":2259,"date":"2022-03-08T10:27:49","date_gmt":"2022-03-08T15:27:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/riverhillcurrent.com\/?p=2259"},"modified":"2022-03-08T10:27:51","modified_gmt":"2022-03-08T15:27:51","slug":"register-for-the-light-the-night-5k-for-suicide-prevention","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/riverhillcurrent.com\/register-for-the-light-the-night-5k-for-suicide-prevention\/","title":{"rendered":"Register for the Light the Night 5k for Suicide Prevention"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
By Renae Elsaesser, staff writer<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Registration is officially open for the Light the Night 5k For Suicide Prevention. This event will take place on April 8 from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm at Oakland Mills High School. Chloe McGeehan, a senior at River Hill High School, organized this event in hopes of bringing mental health awareness to Howard County.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n It all started with \u201ca passion after being touched by the statistics of suicide in our community,\u201d Chloe said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Since the start of the school year, Chloe has worked endlessly to bring this event to action. <\/p>\n\n\n\n After receiving the Howard County recreation and parks student position, she started planning the 5k. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Chloe shared that she \u201ccoordinated with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Grassroots, and Bullseye Running.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n Participating in the event does not mean that you have to run in the 5k. There will be other activities to engage in and food trucks to enjoy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Chloe emphasizes that her goal for the event is to change the community’s \u201coutlook on mental health to be equally a part of community success as physical health and other attributes as well as its bringing together so many community members and stakeholders in suicide prevention.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n Leah Bulka, a social worker and behavioral health navigator at the Howard County Health Department has worked alongside Chloe in planning this event. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Leah highlights that suicide prevention is the responsibility of a community to ensure that people receive the resources and help they need. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSuicide is a complex issue and it takes a village to address it effectively, which I think you can see reflected in Chloe’s planning efforts,\u201d Bulka claims. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Buying a ticket for the 5k is a great way to show support, raise awareness, and spread the message that \u201cwe care about those who are struggling in darkness,\u201d Chloe says. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Bulka recognizes Chloe for her leadership in this project and says that she \u201chas worked extremely hard to bring in stakeholders like me to get this event off the ground.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n Leah believes this event is important because \u201cwe all have mental health that needs to be nurtured and cared for in order to thrive.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Chloe \u201cknew a 5k would be a really cool way to just start conversations and show community support.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n Register today for the Light The Night 5K with the link below<\/p>\n\n\n\n