Minnesota National Guard hosts fun run to bring awareness to suicide prevention efforts
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 9, 2016
ST. PAUL, Minn.-
The Minnesota National Guard is hosting a “Power of One” Fun Run, Sunday, September 11, during National Suicide Prevention Week to call attention to suicide prevention efforts in the military and civilian communities.
The run will take place at the Benjamin Franklin Readiness Center in Arden Hills and will help Minnesota Guardsmen meet annual suicide prevention training requirements while building unit cohesion and encouraging connectedness between battle buddies, family members and local community resource providers. The run emphasizes the power that one individual has to save a life and prevent suicide.
“The Minnesota National Guard is committed to preventing suicides in our organization,” said Maj. Gen. Rick Nash, Minnesota National Guard Adjutant General. “We are continually looking for new ways to bring the suicide prevention message to our Service members. Our people are our most precious resource and one loss to suicide is one too many.”
Runners will have the unique opportunity to connect with risk factors, warning signs, and protective factors during their run. During the event participants will learn how to help someone who is suicidal and build a personal survival kit.
According to recent data from the Minnesota Department of Health, suicides continue to be on the rise in the State of Minnesota, increasing by six percent in the last year. While suicide presents a challenge for the Minnesota National Guard and the State of Minnesota as a whole, action is being taken to confront the issue through resilience and suicide prevention and awareness training, outreach and partnerships with Minnesota support agencies to minimize the risk of suicide in at-risk populations.
Registration begins at 8:00 a.m. and the opening ceremony will kick off at 9:00 a.m. at the Benjamin Franklin Readiness Center, 1245 County Hwy 96, Arden Hills, MN, 55112.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Minnesota National Guard Public Affairs at mn.ng.web@mail.mil or call 651-282-4410.