Family members, friends, and local residents gathered in Scotts Valley for a mental health awareness and suicide prevention walk, honoring lost loved ones and sharing resources. Farah Galvez, who lost her 19-year-old son to suicide, leads a local nonprofit focused on mental health and suicide prevention.
Community Members Gather in Scotts Valley for Suicide Prevention Walk
The gathering drew participants to walk an unhurried route through Scotts Valley. Rather than focusing on speed, the event emphasized open dialogue surrounding mental health struggles. Participants wore colored wristbands symbolizing specific relationships to those lost, including children, siblings, parents, and partners.
“I’m here to honor one of my friends who recently, unfortunately, passed away this July, and I’m here to, you know, spread out a message for everyone to hear, you know,” participant Santi Cruz said. “We are all human; we all matter. It’s always important for everyone to have a little talk, a little side conversation, and a little question.”
Turning Personal Tragedy Into Local Action
Farah Galvez leads a local nonprofit following the death of her older son, Trevor Tyson, who died four years ago due to mental health issues and suicide. Galvez described the walk as a love letter to her son, emphasizing his dedication to the community.
“If it could happen to me and we can lose a loved one like that, then I just feel like, you know, we need to reach out and let everybody know you’re not alone, that there’s resources for you, and that’s why we’re doing this,” Galvez said.
Colored wristbands represent specific relationships to lost loved ones at the Scotts Valley walk
Colored wristbands introduced at the Scotts Valley walk are designed to represent specific relationships to lost loved ones, including parents, children, siblings, and partners, giving participants a tangible way to remember them during community events.
Emphasizing Daily Support and Available Resources
Following opening ceremonies, attendees walked at a leisurely pace through Scotts Valley. Organizers and participants stressed that mental health remains a daily struggle for many individuals, reinforcing the message that no one has to face these challenges alone.
The event highlighted the importance of routine check-ins and side conversations among friends and family members.
Common Questions About the Scotts Valley Mental Health Walk
What was the purpose of the Scotts Valley walk?
The event raised mental health awareness, promoted suicide prevention, and provided a space for community members to honor loved ones lost.
Who organized the Scotts Valley event?
Farah Galvez, a local nonprofit leader who lost her 19-year-old son Trevor Tyson to suicide four years ago, helped lead the gathering.
What did the colored wristbands signify?
The wristbands represented specific relationships to loved ones lost, such as children, siblings, parents, and partners.
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