SANDPOINT — Suicide is the eighth leading cause of death in Idaho, and the second leading cause of death for ages 10-44 in the state, according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

The local community is no stranger to the loss of loved ones, family and friends to suicide. Jennifer Wyman lost her daughter, 14-year-old Madison Wyman, to suicide in November 2015. Ten months later, the first Walk for H.O.P.E. was organized in Sandpoint by Wyman, along with family, friends and sponsors to promote suicide awareness, hope and healing. H.O.P.E. is an acronym for "Hold On Pain Ends."

Wyman said the walk is not just for those who have lost somebody to suicide or if they are struggling themselves.

"I also want it to be a support network," Wyman said. "I want us to make a stand and let everybody know that there is help, that there are a lot of us in this community and all you have to do is reach out for somebody and ask for help."

It is a "celebration of life," she said, to let each individual know they are important, life matters, they are loved, and it doesn't have to end with suicide.

"There is always another tomorrow," Wyman said.

Last year, in a tragic turn of events, the community was mourning another youth lost to suicide the day before the event, Wyman said. The outpouring of support for those affected by suicide was "amazing," she said, as more than 350 people attended last year's walk.

September is Suicide Awareness Month, which is one reason why Walk for H.O.P.E. organizers decided to hold the event the first weekend of the month each year. Not only is it an event to lead into Suicide Awareness Month, Wyman said, but it is also the weekend before the school year begins.

"So this is their chance to interact with one another before they walk through those doors," Wyman said. "We don't want them to feel the pressure. We are hoping this will be that ice-breaker moment for them."

The money raised through the event stays in the community to provide events year-round, such as bringing people in to speak to students at the schools and funding programs throughout the community to promote suicide awareness.

For the their first initiative, Walk for H.O.P.E. organizers recently signed a contract with Big Mouth Presentations to hold assemblies at Sandpoint High School, Sandpoint Middle School, Lake Pend Oreille High School and Clark Fork High School in November. A parent night will be scheduled as well, Wyman said, and the group is working with 7B Hope, which held movie nights last year, to put on similar events this school year.

The walk is sponsored by organizations such as Let Your Color Out, Underground Kindness and Bonner General Health. Wyman said they are looking for additional sponsors, or anyone who has something to contribute by being on a committee or being a part of a future event. The goal, she said, is to have a full-functioning board of directors.

This year's walk will begin at 5 p.m. Sunday, starting at Dog Beach at the north end of the Long Bridge. Walkers will make their way across the bridge and back. Balloons, bracelets and T-shirts will be provided to registered participants. There will also be connection time for people to be supportive and get to know one another, as well as food and music, with "Bashful Dan" as the disc jockey. The cost is $25 for adults and $20 for youth.  

For registration forms, information and inspiration visit: facebook.com/WalkForHope Sandpoint or walkforhopesandpoint.org. To learn about becoming a sponsor, contact Wyman at 208-290-8391 or email [email protected].

Mary Malone can be reached by email at [email protected] and follow her on Twitter @MaryDailyBee.