Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services held its 13th annual Alive & Running 5K Walk/Run for Suicide Prevention in Westchester on Sunday, Sept. 25, raising more than $200,000. More than 1,000 runners, walkers, spectators and volunteers from all over Southern California came together to raise awareness and funding for suicide prevention services. The all-electric CODA (zero emission four-door, five-passenger EV sedan) helped lead the way as the official pace car.
In Los Angeles County, more than two people die by suicide each day. It was the third leading cause of death for adolescents and young adults in 2007. In the adolescent population, for every loss of life by suicide there is an average of 100 to 200 attempts. This year, to raise awareness of college students that have died by suicide, Active Minds brought a special exhibit (a display of 1,100 backpacks and personal stories in honor of those lost to suicide.) Active Minds is an organization working to utilize the student voice to change the conversation about mental health on college campuses.