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Annual 5K shines light on suicide prevention

By Skip VaughnSeptember 13, 2023

Some 134 runners and walkers from throughout the community participated in the second annual Suicide Prevention Awareness Month 5K held early Sept. 7

Redstone Senior Commander Lt. Gen. Chris Mohan speaks before the Suicide Prevention Awareness Month 5K held Sept. 7 near the ChildWise building on Vincent Drive at Redstone Arsenal.
Redstone Senior Commander Lt. Gen. Chris Mohan speaks before the Suicide Prevention Awareness Month 5K held Sept. 7 near the ChildWise building on Vincent Drive at Redstone Arsenal. (Photo Credit: Erin Elise Enyinda) VIEW ORIGINAL

near the ChildWise building at 3467 Vincent Drive.

“Connect to Protect” was this year’s theme.

Before the run, Redstone Senior Commander Lt. Gen. Chris Mohan and Garrison Commander Col. Brian Cozine signed a proclamation for Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.

“We really appreciate everybody being out here this morning to talk about a serious issue,” Mohan said.

“Thank you to all the tenants and participants for supporting the event,” Cozine said. “Thank you to all the organizations and sponsors who are there to help, for helping bring awareness to the suicide prevention efforts across the community. And showing we are one team to support our Soldiers, our family members, our veterans and retirees across the country.”

The 5K followed the same course it took last year, and there was a wellness fair in the parking lot of the ChildWise building that morning.

Participants included Soldiers, civilians, family members – and at least two dogs.

“I like to come participate because it’s a really nice cause and give the support for the people who make possible this event,” Perla Nunez, wife of Warrant Officer 4 Vince Rivera of Army Sustainment Command Detachment, said.

This event was just one of the ways the Army Suicide Prevention Program is working to promote the well-being of the Soldiers, families and civilians on post.

“I think it was phenomenal because of the number of people that showed up to defeat the stigma around suicide and show that they are a light in someone’s life,” race coordinator Carolyn White, the suicide prevention program coordinator and employee assistance program coordinator for Redstone Arsenal, said.

The Team Redstone effort was organized by the Garrison’s Directorate of Human Resources Army Suicide Prevention Program.