Suicide prevention walk Saturday in Bonners Ferry

Lisa McKinley will participate in a suicide prevention walk in memory of her brother who took his life.

Sean Michael Ellis, formerly of Naples, committed suicide on Nov. 9, 2004, at age 23. He left behind a son, Seth Michael Ellis, who is now 4.

“I wouldn’t want anyone to go through what I went through,” said McKinley. “There are signs that people don’t really realize are signs until after the fact, when it’s too late.”

That is why the 30-year-old from Naples will be walking with her three children during the Saturday, Sept. 27, event, which starts at 10 a.m. at Boundary County Middle School.

“One of the hardest things is to know that someone you loved so much hurt so much and you couldn’t help them,” said Joe Fleck, one of the organizers for Out of the Darkness Community Walk.

With Boundary County leading Idaho with the highest rate of suicides, it’s time for citizens to do something, according to Fleck.

The walk is designed to raise awareness of the human cost because of suicide, reduce the incidences of suicide and the stigma connected with this behavior.

In the United States there are 11 suicides per 100,000 people; Idaho has 16 per 100, 000 people and Boundary County has 30 suicides per 100,000 people, which is one of the highest rates in the country.

“Local citizens don’t need to hear the statistics,” said Fleck. “In talking with people from the community, many have shared how suicide has touched them personally and we have seen more than our share.”

Currently Idaho is one of three states without a statewide suicide crisis hotline, according to Fleck. A national life line that people can call when they are concerned about themselves or others is 1-800-273 TALK. 

“It’s like the dirty little secret. We don’t want to talk about it because it might push people over the edge to do it, but it is the opposite,” said Fleck. “This is just the first step. Rain or shine this walk is on.”