Seymour Hope Walk and Mental Health Fair opens Mental Health Awareness Month

Seymour Community High School hosted its 4th Annual Hope Walk and Mental Health Resource Fair Friday afternoon.

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The hope walk is a yearly event meant to bring the community together and prevent suicide, led by the high school's Hope Squad. Similar events are held annually in other parts of Northeast Wisconsin, like Ashwaubenon.

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"We wanted something to get out to the community to know that it's safe and that this is a place where we want to place mental health stigma, ultimately reduce suicide rates, all over in Wisconsin and in Seymour specifically," said Seymour Community School District Districtwide School Social Worker Jeanna LeFevere.

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The main attraction is a milelong walk about the high school's track. Other therapeutic activities were held outdoors too, including rock painting, creating giant bubbles, and flower planting.

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"This is probably the year that it's been the biggest," said LeFevere. "We have two food trucks here. That's ultimately been the goal to make the event more like a carnival."

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Inside the high school's field house more than 40 Brown and Outagamie County mental health wellness providers hosted booths to let community members learn about the work they do.