South Texas Health System Behavioral Rallying the Valley to Chalk Up Their Spaces to Help Spread Messages of Hope and Inspiration to Those Struggling With Their Mental Health This September

As part of the facility’s Chalk The Walk campaign this Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, STHS Behavioral is encouraging everyone to write encouraging chalk messages at their spaces to let those struggling know they are not alone.

Suicide is the eleventh leading cause of death in the United States, claiming the lives of nearly 50,000 people in 2022 alone, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Contrary to popular opinion, suicide affects people of all ages, with an average of 135 suicide deaths reported every day, per the CDC.

While suicide is the second leading cause of death for people ages 10-14, suicide rates have increased in recent years among adults 25-34 and adults 75-84.        Meanwhile, higher-than-average rates of suicide have been reported among Hispanic Americans, veterans, people who live in rural areas and workers in certain industries and occupations like mining and construction.

Suicide and suicide attempts can result in serious emotional, physical and economic impacts. Individuals who attempt suicide and survive may experience serious injuries that can have long-term effects on their physical and mental health. But the health and well-being of family, friends and co-workers is also affected. When someone dies by suicide, their surviving family and friends may experience prolonged grief, shock, anger, guilt, mental health issues and even thoughts of suicide themselves.

Chalk the Walk: Hope & Inspiration

Suicide is preventable, and everyone plays a role in saving lives and creating healthy and strong individuals, families and communities, with suicide prevention strategies aiming to increase factors that promote resilience and help bring about social change. So, this Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, STHS Behavioral is launching its Chalk the Walk: Hope & Inspiration campaign and encouraging Rio Grande Valley residents to rally together to show those who may be struggling with mental health issues or suicidal ideation that they are not alone.

Leading up to the facility’s annual Chalk The Walk: Hope & Inspiration Walk, taking place this year on Saturday, September 7, and throughout the month of September, STHS Behavioral is encouraging Valley residents to spread hope and inspiration throughout the community with uplifting chalk designs and messages across walkways in their neighborhoods, places of work and at their homes or businesses. Participating is easy; simply grab some colorful chalk and get creative with messages of encouragement!

“There’s an enchanting power to sidewalk chalk art. If you’re like most children, you chalked up your driveway and sidewalks with colorful drawings and happy messages as a kid, as adults looked on in amusement as they admired the inspiring art you created,” says Tom Castañeda, System Director of Marketing and Public Relations, South Texas Health System. “What you probably didn’t realize is that that simple act may have helped someone struggling with their mental health fight another day. And that’s what STHS Behavioral’s Chalk The Walk campaign is all about… spreading optimism, inspiration and hope. But you’ll find that it’s also therapeutic for the chalk artist, allowing them to escape their everyday doldrums, embrace their creativity and prioritize their own mental health by exploring and expressing their emotions in a positive way.”

STHS Behavioral encourages community members to share their chalk messages on social media. Use the hashtag #STHSChalkTheWalk and tag @stxhealthsystem on Instagram and South Texas Health System will share your artwork on its accounts throughout the month of September.

Additionally, if you’d like to have your artwork featured at our upcoming Chalk the Walk event on Saturday, September 7, you’re encouraged to submit your photos to the STHS Marketing Department via email at [email protected]. For any questions, please call 956-388-2020.

And don’t miss our third annual Chalk the Walk Hope & Inspiration Walk on Saturday, September 7, from 9 – 11 a.m., at STHS Behavioral. For complete details, visit STHSWellness.com.

How You Can Get Help

If you or a loved one is struggling with mental health challenges or suicidal thoughts, help is available 24/7 at STHS Behavioral. For a confidential assessment call 956-388-1300.

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If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, call the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.