COEUR d'ALENE - Karen Petit says it again and again. Her brother's death could have been prevented.

When she tells the story that has haunted her and her family members for nine years, she recalls that Donnie Chambers never showed any warning signs - why would he, with a career, a strong marriage and a flair for coaching his sons' youth sports?

And yet it took but a fleeting six weeks after a sudden onset of depression for the 42-year-old to take his life.

"It was like he was diagnosed with cancer and six weeks later he was gone," Petit said. "The void in our family is never to be filled."

The Coeur d'Alene woman was left with questions, but above all, with certainty that there could have been more done to save him. Maybe if her brother's doctor had understood the issue better, or if he and his wife had discussed their struggles with others.

"People don't want to let people know they're suffering," Petit said. "It's one of those things you don't talk about."

But you should, she says.

And Suicide Prevention Action Network of North Idaho is working on that.

The aim of the nonprofit, of which Petit is a volunteer and also a member of its support groups, is to remove the stigma of suicide discussion and to prompt prevention awareness and education.

That's also the target of SPAN's fourth annual Memorial Walk, scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 15.

"When people become aware, they tend to know what to do about it," Petit said. "Like offer a kind word to try to get somebody help if they need it, go to a school counselor or call somebody at behavioral health."

She expects a large turnout for the walk, she added, after the rash of suicides over this past year, which has escalated membership at SPAN's survivor support groups.

"Our suicide rates have increased," Petit said, noting possible causes like the burdens of joblessness and lower incomes these days. "It's been happening nationwide."

She lauds the community's efforts to address the issue, like the Coeur d'Alene School District providing prevention training for staff.

But it doesn't hurt for people to gather, console and show support, she said.

As in past years, people can tote signs to the 3.8 mile walk down the Centennial Trail, Petit said. They can talk about their own losses, comfort others, and learn about support groups and suicide prevention.

"It's inspiring to see all these people come to the walk and care about suicide and those who have been touched by it," she said.

The walk also emphasizes a key point, said SPAN Region 1 Chair Catherine Perusse.

"To offer hope, that's the most important thing," she said. "There is hope. There is a way to prevent suicide with the correct knowledge of how to proceed."

Perusse encouraged anyone concerned about struggling individuals to ask outright if they are feeling suicidal. She also prompted folks to contact the suicide hotline at: 1-800-273-8255.

The walk will begin at O'Shay's Restaurant parking lot at 313 E. Coeur d'Alene Lake Drive. Check-in will start at 9 a.m., and the walk will begin at 10.

Donations will benefit local awareness programs, survivor support groups and suicide education.

SPAN is currently asking for volunteers, Petit said, to assist in registration, passing out water to walkers and other organizing details.

Interested folks can contact Petit at 772-2353.

When she lends a hand at these events, Petit said, she likes to think she might be saving lives.

"One thing I know is I'm bringing comfort to those who have lost someone to suicide," she said. "And they're bringing me comfort at the same time."