JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska — In observance of Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, the 673d Mental Health Clinic organized a 12K race at the Buckner Fitness Center on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER) on September 10, 2024.
The event, part of the Light Up JBER campaign, saw the participation of multiple helping agencies, including Sexual Assault Prevention and Response, Military OneSource, and the Red Cross, stationed at the finish line to provide information and support on suicide prevention. Runners were also awarded a therapy light and a challenge coin upon completion of the race.
Senior Airman Victoria Grant, a mental health technician at JBER, emphasized the importance of the event. “September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, which is vital to us as we handle these issues daily in our work,” Grant said. “Our goal is to normalize seeking mental health support and strengthen community connections.”
The race aligned with the theme “Joining Your Fight: Connect to Protect,” which calls on the military community to focus on community, collaboration, connection, and hope. This initiative is part of the Mental Health Flight’s broader Light Up JBER campaign, designed as a primary prevention measure under the Behavioral Health Strategic Plan and the Comprehensive Integrated Primary Prevention (CIPP) Plan. The campaign aims to build connections, promote responsible drinking, bridge resource gaps, support families and service members in accessing support services, and enhance resilience through triannual recreational events dubbed “Connect through Rec.”
Garry Berry, director of JBER’s Integrated Prevention and Response office, highlighted the event’s significance. “Suicide is an epidemic we are all striving to reduce and eliminate,” Berry said. “This race offers an opportunity to ‘Connect Thru Rec’ while enjoying Alaska’s beauty before winter sets in. Strengthening connections is crucial for resilience, and this event aims to enhance both mental and physical fortitude.”
Looking ahead, Grant and the 673d Force Support Squadron, in collaboration with Buckner gym, plan to host two additional Light Up JBER events in 2025, including cross-country skiing and a triathlon.
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