A mental health/suicide prevention walk drew approximately 200 at Harmon Field Saturday with a rainbow hovering over the field reassuring the theme of the event, “Don’t Lose Hope.”

The event was organized by Polk residents Tamara Black and Mary Wells Prioleau, who in the last year have lost loved ones to suicide.

The walk was planned in just the last two weeks to coincide with National Suicide Prevention week.

“What an eye opener as to the hunger of folks to gather and break the silence,” Prioleau said following the event.

Prioleau said people came from Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Charleston, Greenville and Columbia to participate and there was a huge diversity in socio-economic, cultural and ethnicities represented alongside Tryon town management, fire and police departments.

The event also drew NAMI, the semi-colon project and I AM Somebody.

Black also thanked everyone who participated in the ceremony saying what a blessing it was to see so many come out and show support and honor those who suffer from mental illness.

“I was deeply touched by the stories I heard and I know this will only be the beginning,” said Black. “There were over 40 names called out (Saturday) from the list of those who passed due to suicide. If that is not an indication that mental illness is real and affects the lives of many then I’m not sure what is.”

Black and Prioleau thanked the many who helped, donated food and money to support the event.

“I know this is only the start to amazing things,” said Black. “Please continue to pray and support those around you.”

Black and Prioleau met this year after Black lost her brother, Jaheir Ford, and Prioleau lost her daughter, Caroline Wesley, to suicide. Ford and Wesley were friends at Polk County High School and would have both been 22 years old today.

The event included lighting of candles with a one-mile walk around the Harmon Field track, lighting of sparklers and releasing of balloons. Food and t-shirts were provided free of charge with the event raising money for more t-shirts.