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Barnwell County Sheriff's Office Lieutenant Eric Kirkland led the Dec. 9 walk in support of mental health issues and awareness of local avenues for support. He was joined by other law enforcement officers, mental health professionals, supporters, and those impacted by the mental health crisis.
The event included several speakers, including mental health professionals.
BCSO Deputy Lisa Carrigg (center) stands with Team Life and Legacy at the Cultivating Light in the Darkness walk in support of the Aiken-Barnwell Recovery Foundation. Carrigg coordinated the team in honor of her friend and son.
The community came out to show their support at the Aiken-Barnwell Recovery Foundation's inaugural mental health walk. Pictured are employees of the Aiken-Barnwell Mental Health Center, board members, supporters, and those impacted by the nationwide mental health crisis.
The community came out to show their support at the Aiken-Barnwell Recovery Foundation's inaugural mental health walk. Pictured are employees of the Aiken-Barnwell Mental Health Center, board members, supporters, and those impacted by the nationwide mental health crisis.
The Aiken-Barnwell Recovery Foundation held their first fundraiser and awareness event on Saturday, December 9 raising over $2,800.
Hosted by the foundation in conjunction with the Barnwell County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO), the walk welcomed the community to join the united front against negative mental health stigmas and highlight avenues for support.
Numerous teams came out to walk one lap around Veterans Memorial Park in support of the foundation’s main goal; to help the clients and employees of the Aiken-Barnwell Mental Health Center (ABMHC).
“This walk was indeed two-fold as it was the first event for the foundation, and it happened in Barnwell County,” said BCSO Lieutenant Eric Kirkland. “It also gave the citizens/vendors of Barnwell and Aiken an opportunity to witness firsthand the foundation at work.”
The foundation is in its infancy, having only been founded this year. This event is the first step toward showing the community the value of accessing mental health resources.
“We all know mental health is real and it affects us all in one way or another. It is nice to know that a foundation such as this exists to further assist those that have or are going through a mental health crisis,” said Lt. Kirkland, who thanks all who participated.
One of the teams, Team Life and Legacy, was led by BCSO school resource officer Lisa Carrigg.
“When I was tasked with creating a team to walk in support of mental health/suicide awareness, I knew it had to be for a big reason,” said Carrigg, who has been personally impacted by some of the issues ABMHC helps address.
Team Life and Legacy walked in honor of those who have died by suicide or have experienced a mental health crisis and got necessary help. The team surpassed their $1,000 goal and raised $1,300.
At the event, Carrigg shared the story of friend, Nate. Nate took his life in 1995, and Carrigg thinks of him frequently. Team Life and Legacy also walked for Carrigg’s son, who experienced a mental health crisis and sought help.
“It was a great turnout and an emotional one for me,” said Carrigg. “My job blesses me every single day. If you know someone struggling, check on them. You might be the reason on that day that they choose to stay.”
Students at the Barnwell County Career Center (BCCC) fundraised to make a donation to the foundation. Many other groups came out to support the foundation. The City of Barnwell also approved a $200 donation to the foundation at their last meeting.
