Five years ago this month, Ashley Crist’s brother Scott took his own life and became another suicide statistic.
“I would rather be at the lake with my brother,” Ashley Crist, 28, recent BYU graduate from Bountiful, said. “While I can’t bring him back, If I can help even one person avoid such a tragedy, my loss will not be in vain. The love for my brother lives on.”
According to the Utah County Crisis Line website, Utah has the seventh highest suicide rate in the nation and the first quarter of this year, suicides have doubled from last year.
“It is more of an issue than people realize,” Crist said. “People don’t realize that there are places that help people in crisis. There needs to be more awareness so that people know that there is help.”
This Saturday, the Utah County Crisis Line is sponsoring a 5K run to raise awareness of their free, anonymous suicide prevention hotline. The 5K events will start at 9 a.m. at Fort Utah Park, 200 North, Geneva Rd. in Provo. It will go on the Provo River Trail leading towards Utah Lake. All the proceeds will go towards raising awareness of their suicide prevention free hotline.
“Our main obstacle at the Crisis Line is funding,” Community Outreach Director for the Utah Valley Crisis Line, Sarah Hall, a BYU graduate from Urbandale, Iowa, said. “We only have 2 part time employees and lack the manpower.”
“You can help do something about it,”Hall said. “All proceeds from the 5K will help us increase awareness for the free confidential Utah County Crisis Hotline and people in crisis will have someone to talk to.”
“People will have a place to turn to when they are in crisis,” Crist said.
According to Hall, volunteers can help out at the call center. There is no special experience needed beforehand because volunteers receive a week long training with two trainings in the evening and one on Saturday. After receiving the training, volunteers have to volunteer three hours a week and one overnight shift.
“People are uneducated about this topic and don’t know how to help people in crisis,” Crist said. “Be proactive and a force for good, come to the 5k to become educated and help prevent suicides.”
To volunteer, participate in the 5K or for more information, email .
