PINEDALE – About 40 people convened at the parking lot of Pinedale High School on Tuesday evening to take part in the third annual suicide prevention walk and candlelight vigil called Mountains of Hope.

The group made its way down Tyler Avenue, then west on Pine Street to American Legion Park where folks gathered around the gazebo with candles in hand.

Wendy Boman, who recently lost a son to a prescription-drug overdose, was the keynote speaker, touching on her own struggles with losing a loved one unexpectedly.

“It’s never easy,” said Ranae Pape, the community prevention specialist with the Prevention Management Organization of Wyoming who organized the event. “When you deal with either a suicide or these tragic losses, it’s just so sudden.”

Pape highlighted the “post-vention” team she has in place to help those who have suffered from a tragic loss, whether it’s from a suicide or a sudden death. The team is able to help with everything from counseling to meals to helping with pet care.

Despite a cut in funding from the Wyoming Legislature this year, Pape is also continuing her free training for people to help them recognize someone in a suicide crisis with financial assistance from the Episcopal Diocese of Wyoming as well as Randy Belton at ReBel Auto Parts.

For more information, contact Pape at 307-360-6382.