September is Suicide Awareness Month, and Ochsner Rush Health employees are working to make the community aware of available resources. The organization’s newly formed Suicide Awareness Alliance hosted awareness activities throughout the month, culminating with a public event this Saturday, Sept. 30.

Suicide is the 12th leading cause of death in the United States with nearly 50,000 people dying by suicide in 2022, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Despite these statistics, support services can be difficult to obtain, as Ochsner Rush Health radiology supervisor Rhonda Blanks discovered when she lost her youngest son, Justin David (JB) Blanks, to suicide on Jan. 13, 2015.

After JB’s passing, Blanks was unable to find a support group for the loved ones of those lost to suicide.

“So, I decided to start a walk each year during September called ‘Lean On Me’ because the words of this song really touched the way I felt,” Blanks said. “But during the pandemic most things faded away along with the funds from the government to support mental health issues.”

Earlier this year she decided to participate in Ochsner’s Mental Health Diplomats Grief & Suicide support group. She expressed her idea for creating a support and advocacy group with Mental Health Diplomats facilitator Morgan Lewis, and the employee-led Suicide Awareness Alliance (SAA) was born.

“In just six short weeks Morgan introduced the group to employees across the Ochsner Health system,” Blanks said. “This is so remarkable to comprehend.”

Blanks, who has worked with Ochsner Rush for 42 years and is currently a Radiology Services and MRI supervisor, is grateful to her local leadership team for its support of the SAA. The group’s goal is to reduce the stigma surrounding suicide, save lives, provide support to employees and generate awareness in the community.

On Saturday, Sept. 30, Ochsner Rush Health is hosting its monthly Walk with a Doc event at Bonita Lakes Park. This month the program is partnering with the Suicide Awareness Alliance to bring attention to suicide prevention and awareness. Dr. Trey Martin, Ochsner Rush Health emergency room physician, will be the presenting physician, and community resources will also be available to attendees.

Walk with a Doc will begin at 8:30 a.m. at the front pavilion at Bonita Lakes Park, located on Bonita Reservoir Road.

Walk with a Doc is a recurring event featuring a different topic each month. Walkers will enjoy a refreshing walk with an Ochsner Rush physician and other healthcare professionals, who will provide support to participants and answer questions. Participation is free and pre-registration is not required. For more information, please contact Melissa Martin at melissa.martin4@ochsner.org.

If you feel you are in crisis, call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or go to your nearest emergency department.