Worth County Suicide Prevention Coalition to host 5K run to raise mental health awareness

WORTH COUNTY, Mo. (KQTV) -- The Worth County Suicide Prevention Coalition is holding a 5K run and 2K walk to spread suicide and mental health awareness throughout the community.

The event is scheduled for September 12th at the Worth County School East parking lot, with a $20 registration fee.

Jeremy Baker, an Iraq War veteran and organizer of the event, says Worth County lacks any sort of suicide prevention group, especially for veterans.

Baker created the coalition after learning about three suicides in the area and wanted to establish a way for people and veterans to easily reach out for mental health resources.

The run is scheduled for September, a month nationally recognized as Suicide Awareness Month, and Baker says he wants to raise money for charities and other organizations that support suicide prevention.

"In Worth County alone, we have 114 veterans and only 52% go to the VA," Baker said. "But I'm not just here to help promote for veterans. I'm also trying to help cover the civilian world too. I want to promote to everybody. I want to help people that have lost loved ones to suicide."

More information about the coalition and the upcoming event can be found on their Facebook page, Worth County Suicide Prevention Coalition.