Spencer, Iowa -
Bullying and suicide have been a hot topic lately, and one Northwest Iowa organization is trying to raise awareness through fun activities.
Dealing with a suicide of a loved one can be a difficult situation to face and no one knows that better than Vicki Heckroth who lost her son, to suicide in 2000. But instead of feeling helpless, Heckroth took a stand.
Vicki Heckroth, CEO of GLASS said, "I had a calling out there to help these other people going through it and to help these kids and adults that are depressed to choose another option and suicide is no longer an option."
Three years ago, Heckroth formed the group GLASS, a suicide prevention group. Gaining Life After Suicide held its third annual walk at the Clay County Fairgrounds to bring people who have dealt with this tragedy together. Heckroth has one goal: Making sure what happened to her family won't happen to someone else's.
Vicki Heckroth,added, "We need to get the word out that we are here and let these kids know they can talk about suicide."
And with more groups like GLASS are starting to form, people are taking notice. Mindy Johnson's daughter Lennie lost her best friend, Kenneth Weishuhn this past spring. His family blames bullying. She started her own support group for adults and children to combat bullying in Primghar, Iowa.
Mindy Johnson, President of "Be buddies, not bullies," said, "It was important to me as a parent to come forward to let any of these kids know that there's people out there that will listen."
Listening to them, before it's to late.
"Before you can take it back, somebody can be gone."
