Editor’s note: This article contains content that involves suicide and domestic violence.

3 Takeaways:

• The Glow Walk was held on Oct. 14 to recognize September’s Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and October’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
• Over 200 people preregistered for the 14th annual Glow Walk.
• Native Americans have the highest rates of suicide and domestic violence of any racial or ethnic group.

As the sun set on the evening of Oct. 14, a group of Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community members and employees lined up behind the offices of Health and Human Services’ Prevention & Intervention Services with glow sticks and supportive signs held up high.

They were about to embark on a one-mile Glow Walk around the government campus in support of suicide prevention and putting a stop to domestic violence. Miss Salt River Emma Scabby and Jr. Miss Salt River Tiaré Begay-Smith led the way.

More than 200 people preregistered for the walk, and about 100 people came out to participate in the 14th year of the event.

The Glow Walk recognizes two months, September’s Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and October’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

“Each year we host this walk to bring everybody together to show support for those who have been affected by both suicide and domestic violence. It’s also to reduce the stigma around suicide and domestic violence,” said HHS Community Health Educator Melanie Nosie, who feels it’s powerful when someone can share what they’ve been through.

Talking about these issues and showing support can help affected Community members and employees heal.

“Domestic violence and suicide awareness are two very important topics that touch Indian Country today. Unfortunately [Native Americans] have the highest rates of suicides and domestic violence,” said HHS Community Health Educator Vurlene Notsinneh-Bowekaty, referring to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data that shows American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) are at higher risk of dying by suicide compared with other Americans.

In 2019, non-Hispanic AI/AN people had a suicide rate 60% higher than that of the general population. AI/AN women and girls experience higher rates of violence than in any other racial or ethnic group, according to the National Congress of American Indians.

“We want people to know that when they come out for this walk it’s a time for healing and a time to honor the loved ones we’ve lost to domestic violence and suicide,” said Notsinneh-Bowekaty.

Twenty years ago, she lost her older sister to domestic violence.

“When I [participate in something like this], I do it in her memory,” she said.