Family, friends, and community members convened in Scotts Valley, California, for a mental health awareness and suicide prevention walk, honoring loved ones lost and promoting a message of hope and support. Farah Galvez, who lost her 19-year-old son to suicide, has transformed her grief into action by leading a local nonprofit dedicated to mental health and suicide prevention.
Read More
Participant Santi Cruz shared, "I'm here to honor one of my friends who unfortunately passed away this July. It's important for everyone to have a little talk, a little side conversation, and a little question." Colored wristbands, a new tradition, represented loved ones lost—children, siblings, parents, and partners—serving as a means for participants to remember them.
Galvez, who lost her older son Trevor Tyson to suicide four years ago, emphasized the importance of community. "This is my love letter to him, as he was all about community. If it could happen to me, we need to reach out and let everybody know you're not alone; there are resources for you, and that’s why we’re doing this," she stated.
Following the opening ceremonies, attendees took a leisurely walk through Scotts Valley. The emphasis was on raising awareness rather than speed, with participants highlighting that mental health struggles are a daily reality for many and reaffirming the message that no one has to face these challenges alone.