Dealing with the loss of a loved one is never easy””but when that loss is propelled by suicide, the grieving process can be much more complicated, said Leann Gouveia, executive director of Fresno Survivors of Suicide Loss.

In order to provide support and knowledge to those affected by suicide, Gouveia founded the nonprofit’s annual noncompetitive run and walk, “Courage & Strength…Side by Side,” 11 years ago.

“This event is for those who have lost a loved one to suicide, and it is also for those who want to do something about it,” Gouveia said. “We want people to see that they can survive this type of loss, that they can become empowered and they may want to take an active role within the organization.”

This year, the event will take place on Saturday at 8 a.m. at Woodward Park’s Mountain View Shelter on Audubon Drive. Participants can register online for the 2-mile walk or 4-mile run up until the day of the event.

The event, which is open to the public, also will feature a silent auction, a ceremonial dove release, a memorial walkway, musical entertainment and free food.

Fresno Survivors of Suicide Loss, founded in 1985, provides emotional support to anyone affected by suicide. Gouveia said all proceeds raised by the event will go back to the organization, so it can continue helping the local community.

At the gatherings, Gouveia said the organization hopes to inform people about the cultural stigmas associated with depression and suicide prevention.

“Depression doesn’t exactly have the best connotation with it. It’s just not an acceptable topic,” she said. “A lot of people don’t get help because they’re embarrassed.”

Gouveia said the organization strives to encourage people to talk about mental health and seek help.

“In my opinion, it’s not talking about it that causes it [suicide] to happen,” she said. “Most of the time, when people are in pain, they do need help. They just don’t know how to say, ‘I need help.’”

Often, Gouveia said, suicide is not the problem. The problem, rather, is what is causing suicide to become an option for someone.

“Suicide is never about one thing,” she said. “It’s about many things that have stacked up, and the person says, ‘I can’t take anymore.’

“They’re afraid it’s going to get worse. That desperation leads people to do things they wouldn’t normally do.”

In Fresno County, Gouveia said a little more than one person a week is lost to suicide. Last year, she said, 78 members of the Fresno County community committed suicide.

Gouveia said she would encourage Fresno State students to attend the event, get involved and educate themselves about suicide prevention.

“I think that this is a wonderful opportunity to learn about community-based resources,” she said. “Even if they [Fresno State students] are not going to be out there for themselves, perhaps they can get information for family or friends and be a messenger.”

Suicide is the second-leading cause of death for college students between ages 18 and 24, said Melissa Watkins, suicide prevention grant coordinator of the Student Health Center at Fresno State.

Watkins, who used to be the resource specialist for Fresno Survivors of Suicide Loss, said it’s important for everyone to be educated about suicide prevention.

“Oftentimes, we don’t honestly take the time to learn about it until we’ve had a loss or we’ve had a close experience with somebody around us,” she said.

Watkins said Fresno State offers a Question, Persuade and Refer (QPR) training program to students, staff and faculty on campus. The program teaches the campus community how to recognize and respond to the warning signs of suicide.

Watkins, who used to run the silent auction at the event, said she is looking forward to attending the walk as a participant this year.

“It’s an opportunity to gather people together in support of a really important issue,” she said. “It’s an important time to bring people together to remember their loved ones and continue to take that step against this happening in the future.

“I would really encourage those who have had a loss to come out and experience what it is to really celebrate that person’s life.”

Gouveia said the nation also loses an average of 22 war veterans a day to suicide. Because of this, the organization began preregistering veterans from the VA Central California Health Care System for the event about a year ago.

Jose Fuentes, suicide prevention outreach specialist for that office, said that number is likely much higher.

“That number reflects suicide rates for veterans who are currently registered with the VA””and we know that not all veterans are registered””so it is our belief that the number is higher than 22 per day,” he said.

Fuentes, an Army veteran, said military personnel are often taught to be self-sustained and that they do not need help.

That mentality, he said, follows soldiers even after they are discharged, making it difficult for them to seek assistance in times of need.

“It is very hard for some of us to accept that we need help and to ask for help,” he said. “That keeps the veterans from accessing the services that are available to us and that perpetuates the problem.”

Fuentes, who attended the walk last year, said the event gives veterans the opportunity to share their story in a nurturing environment where they have access to numerous recourses that can help them.

For more information about the event, visit www.fresnosos.org.