The Copper Shores Community Health Foundation's annual Suicide Prevention Walk returns to Houghton for its 10th year on Saturday, Sept. 12.

The free event runs from 1 to 4 p.m. at Ray Kestner Waterfront Park. It includes resource tables, refreshments, door prizes, a moment of reflection for those lost to suicide and a walk across the Portage Lift Bridge, according to the foundation's event page.

Speakers for the Sept. 12 walk are local students selected through the Copper Country Intermediate School District's (CCISD) Green Bandana Project, which recognizes student leadership in youth mental health. Among them is Oriana Olson. The students will share personal perspectives on mental health and suicide prevention, Copper Shores said in an Aug. 13 announcement.

Callisto Cortez, Copper Shores' youth development specialist, said the walk has helped shift how the Copper Country talks about suicide over the past decade.

"People are more willing and more receptive to talking about suicide and suicide prevention, and I think it has a lot to do with people finally listening, understanding and not being so scared of the word," Cortez said.

Cortez also stressed the importance of giving young people space to talk openly about their feelings, saying the stronger a person's connections are, the more likely they are to reach out for help.

The Hancock-based foundation has organized the walk alongside the Houghton Keweenaw Suicide Prevention Coalition in past years. The coalition's role in the 2026 event has not been confirmed.

The day's schedule begins at 1 p.m. with the opening, followed by door prizes at 2:15 p.m., student speakers at 2:30 p.m., a mindful moment at 2:40 p.m. and the bridge walk at 3 p.m. The event closes at 3:45 p.m.

Copper Shores is also offering free Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training on Wednesday, Oct. 28, and Thursday, Oct. 29, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at UP Health System in Hancock. Details for both events are available on the Copper Shores walk page.

If you are having suicidal thoughts, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.