YALE — For 10 years, community members have gathered in Yale to walk a mile in memory of those lost to suicide and to remind those who are struggling that they are not alone.
The 10th Annual Walk for Trey will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, at Homer Ray Gymnasium in Yale.
The community event was created by Laura Morphew in memory of her son, Trey Seward, who died by suicide at 19.
The one-mile walk carries special meaning for Morphew because walking was something she and her son shared.
“Trey and I used to walk together every day,” Morphew said ahead of last year’s event.
What began in Trey's memory has grown into something larger over the past decade.
The Walk for Trey serves not only as a memorial for Seward but as a place for families to remember other loved ones lost to suicide, connect with others who understand their grief and raise awareness about suicide prevention and mental health.
The annual event has traditionally included information about depression, suicide prevention and recognizing warning signs, giving those in attendance resources they can take home and share with others.
Previous walks have begun with a moment of silence and the reading of names of loved ones lost to suicide. Participants have also been encouraged to bring framed photographs for a memory table honoring those who are no longer here.
But the Walk for Trey has never been only about remembering those who have been lost.
It is also about the people who are still here.
It is about talking openly about depression and suicide, breaking down the stigma that can prevent someone from asking for help and reminding people that reaching out during a difficult time is not something to be ashamed of.
The event is called a walk, but participation has never depended on someone's ability to complete the mile. In previous years, side-bysides have been available for those unable to walk the route, and attendees have also been welcome to bring a chair and simply spend the morning visiting and supporting others.
“This walk is for everyone,” Morphew has said.
That message has remained at the center of the event as it reaches its 10th year.
For some, Sept. 12 will be a day to remember someone they loved.
For others, it may be a chance to stand beside a friend or family member who has experienced a loss.
And for someone quietly struggling, seeing a community willing to speak openly about suicide and mental health could serve as an important reminder that there are people willing to listen.
The 10th Annual Walk for Trey begins at 9 a.m. Sept. 12 at Homer Ray Gymnasium in Yale.