Losing someone to suicide is often a lifelong sentence to a heavy mix of emotion, tragedy, questions of why, explanations, avoidance, and heartache. And yet it happens to nearly 1,500 families across Arizona every year.

Add to that the social isolation through the pandemic, and we face great challenges with mental health and supporting those in need.

The 16th Annual Memorial Walk/Run in Tempe’s Kiwanis Park is a place where families and individuals can mourn the loss of their loved ones. It’s also a place where they can find comfort in the growing community that becomes a reminder of not being alone in the tragedy of the loss.

Statistics from 2019 show that more than 1,400 Arizona residents die each year by suicide. More than 45,000 people died in 2020 across the country. It’s the 11th leading cause of death and the 2nd leading cause of death for youth and young adults.

Arizona’s rate of suicide in 2019 was 36% higher than the national average.

Participants will gather at the Ruben Romero Ramada starting at 8 a.m. with a special ceremony allowing for remembering and honoring those lost, and allowing participants to share their personal stories.

The walk was started by two people who both suffered tragic losses and met in a counseling session put on by EMPACT SPC, a nonprofit that supports people in the Phoenix metro region. Wanting to remember their son, and their sister, the Jeremyah Memorial Walk was established and will mark its 16th year on Feb. 5. Register online or on site.

The city of Tempe encourages participants to wear a mask if unable to social distance. Social distancing will be encouraged and event organizers recommend that each person does what they feel is best related to wearing a mask. Hand sanitizers will be available at the event.

Bagels will not be served this year. Instead water and sealed snacks will be offered. Starbucks will be serving coffee to participants.

Anyone recently exposed to COVID-19 or experiencing any symptoms is asked to not attend the event for the safety of others.