I was not sure what to expect when I arrived at this year’s Suicide Awareness Walk. I had written about the event before and helped promote it, but attending in person was different. I wondered if it would feel overwhelmingly heavy.
I am here to report that it was emotional, but it was also unexpectedly uplifting. It was devastating to see how many people were affected and impossible not to choke up during the reading of names, yet through the tears, there was unmistakable support. There was laughter, conversation, and camaraderie. There was information, guidance, and a genuine sense that no one had to carry their grief alone.
Hosted by Love Life, the walk took place at Sonju Arena in Two Harbors and was open to all ages. Participants could walk the short route outside the arena or remain indoors if needed. A memory wall displayed photos of loved ones, and refreshments and children’s activities were available.
The morning opened with remarks from Julie Racchi, who spoke directly to those hurting and to those who may have been unsure how the experience of the gathering would feel. She acknowledged the weight of the day while reassuring attendees that support was available.
“If you are feeling overwhelmed, please find one of us,” she said, noting that mental health professionals were present and ready to help anyone who needed grounding or a moment away from the crowd.
Racchi also shared why the cause is personal to her. Her own son, Jacob Racchi, took his life almost seven years ago.
She recalled how surprised the group was by the turnout from their inaugural walk.
“Our minds were absolutely blown away by the love and support and community,” she said.
As the names of those friends and family members who were lost were read aloud, Racchi reminded the crowd why they had gathered.
“Behind every name is a story, a family and friendship, laughter and pain, and a life that mattered. Today, we are making these incredible people alive by speaking their names, remembering their lives, and honoring the love that they loved in life,” she said.
After her remarks, participants stepped outside for the walk, carrying a banner covered in ribbons representing the loved ones being honored that day. Many wore beads representing their connection to suicide loss or lived experience.
The morning was sunny and windy, and as the group made their way along the short route, firetrucks from across the region moved up and down Highway 61 to respond to another crisis unfolding up the shore. A light haze hung in the air from a spring wildfire, a reminder of how quickly devastation can spread and how many kinds of loss a community can carry at once.
Melissa Pederson, a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor and Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor at Up North Therapy in Two Harbors , spoke to the attendees after the walk. She supports adults navigating anxiety, depression, stress, life transitions, and substance-related concerns, and said her work is shaped by personal loss.
“I am where I am today because I lost my brother in 2009,” she said.
She emphasized the importance of meeting people where they are at, stating, “I pride myself in being a very flexible person so that I can meet those in our community.”
Pederson shared information about suicide trends and risk factors, sharing that, disproportionately, men are topping the list of suicides. It is the second leading cause of death today in America for people ages 15-34. Suicide among people 81 and older is also on the rise, with isolation being one of the biggest risk factors for suicide.
She also indicated numbers are down, overall, which is attributed to the 988 crisis line, and offered guidance on how to support someone who may be struggling. Warning signs can include giving away possessions, taking risks, or increased substance use.
“Do not be afraid. Be there for that person. You let them know that you have their back,” she said. “People who have a plan, that is also a huge red flag that you should act upon.”
Pederson also spoke about different types of suicide, including accidental, rational, impulse, and those connected to prescription medications.
“There are so many prescription drugs that come with black box warnings,” she said, listing common antidepressants, antiepileptics, asthma medications, weight loss drugs, and Accutane.
She also addressed firearms, advising, “Most people who commit suicide do not use a firearm. Gun locks are a pain, but those few seconds could make a difference.”
For those supporting someone who has lost a loved one, Pederson offered simple advice.
“Just say, I am sorry for your loss. Is there anything I can do for you?” she said. “What helps the most is hearing the stories of the loved one. The people who fare better are the people who are able to make meaning out of a tragedy.”
The final speaker, Mara Luar, shared her own experience.
“I am a suicide loss survivor. I lost my first love to suicide at 16 years old,” she said.
Luar went on to write first love//first death: poetry from a suicide loss survivor. She emphasized the importance of community.
“Coming together as a community is critical for suicide prevention and ultimately healing after traumatic events like this,” she said.
Luar spoke about the challenges of small-town dynamics and the stigma that can follow a tragedy.
“The town felt shock, confusion, sadness, anger, and they did not know what to do with these feelings,” Luar said. “They condensed all these emotions and pointed fingers and gossiped at his 17-year-old girlfriend.”
She urged the community to focus on action rather than blame, offering that instead of asking who or why, “it is what can we do.”
Luar feels that community education surrounding suicide prevention is critical and reminded attendees that when someone is hurting, beliefs are secondary to safety and care.
“What matters is their life,” she said. “Everybody matters. Every single one. Together, we can break down stigma surrounding mental health and suicide that often lives in small towns.”
The event closed with words of gratitude.
“Please know you are so very seen and so very appreciated,” Racchi said. “Keep speaking their names, telling their stories, keep honoring your loved one’s life, and keep taking care of you.”
As the crowd dispersed, people lingered. Some hugged. Some shared stories. Some stood quietly at the memory wall. It was emotional, but it was also hopeful. A reminder that even in grief, com- munity can be a lifeline.
Another reminder was provided as attendees walked out the door to save the date, along with a Bee-Friendly Minnesota Native Seed Mix from Little Waldo Farm in Two Harbors. The 4th Annual Love Life Suicide Awareness Walk is already planned, scheduled for May 15, 2027.
If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. You are not alone. Talk to someone you trust, reach out to a mental health professional, or contact a crisis support service for immediate help. Call or text 988 for immediate support.
