(Riverton, WY) – Community members gathered this weekend for International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day, organized by Shyvonna Fronning of Fremont Counseling Service.
The event began with a walk from 789 Casino, south of Riverton, a mile and a half up to the Fremont County Fairgrounds, where attendees were greeted with warm homemade chili, chicken soup, cornbread, and a space to connect in the Little Wind building.
After lunch, families and friends shared stories and participated in activities meant to support healing and acknowledge the weight of grief.
Guest speaker Jamie Bolte reminded attendees of how disorienting and human the aftermath of loss can be.
“When you lose someone you love to suicide, life doesn’t just change and shift,” Bolte said. “The world keeps spinning, but you feel like you stepped off of it… I realize that the best way I can honor their life is by continuing to live a life of my own. That means showing up for others and speaking openly and honestly about mental health. It’s okay to not be okay.”
Jamie Bolt shared stories about people to her she has lost to suicide. “When you lose someone you love to suicide, life doesn’t just change and shift,” said Bolt. “The world keeps spinning, but you fee like you stepped off of it… I realize that the best way I can honor their life is by continuing to live a life of my own. That means showing up for others and speaking oenly and hoenstly about mental health. It’s okay to not be okay.” Marchers held signs offering support to those who have experienced suicide-related loss Saturday. Community members were fed chili and chicken soup donated by the community Saturday in the Little Wind building. Participants signed their names on a poster for the International Survivors of Suicide Day event in Riverton Saturday. Community members gathered in the Little Wind Room at the Fremont County Fairgrounds Saturday for an international Survivors of Suicide Day event Saturday. The event, hosted by Fremont Therapy, gave community members a chance to share stories and to participate in activities to help process suicide-related loss.
h/t Carl Cote, County 10