First Responders Confront Mental Health Challenges at Pasadena “Walk in Remembrance”

Pasadena’s upcoming 3rd Annual “Walk in Remembrance” event will highlight the mental health challenges faced by first responders, with police and fire department leaders emphasizing the need for support within their ranks.

The walk, scheduled for Monday, Sept. 9 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Rose Bowl’s Lot H, is organized by the Pasadena Police Department’s Homeless Outreach Psychiatric Evaluation Team and Wellness Unit in collaboration with the Los Angeles Department of Mental Health.

KTLA 5’s Wendy Burch will emcee the event.

At last year’s Walk, Fire Chief Chad Augustin reflected on the personal impact of these issues, saying, “Unfortunately, in my career, I could rattle off more than a handful of coworkers who have lost the battle, the mental health, and have committed suicide.”

Augustin emphasized the daily exposure to traumatic events that emergency responders face, often without adequate time to process their experiences before moving on to the next call.

Police Chief Gene Harris underscored the universality of mental health struggles, stating, “We’re cut from the community. Law enforcement folks are people, too.”

The event, with its tagline “Creating Hope Through Action,” aims to raise awareness that suicide is preventable and that support is available for those in need.

Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo shared his own experience with loss, recounting the suicide of a personal friend who was a member of the Pasadena Police Department.

“That was a terrible time,” Gordo said, “and we need to do better as a community to let people know that they are not alone.”

The walk kick-off begins at 8:45 a.m., covering a 3.2-mile loop around the Rose Bowl Stadium, allowing participants to share memories of those affected by mental illness and suicide.

Last year’s event drew approximately 300 participants and included a symbolic release of doves to honor those lost to suicide.

The event will feature resource tables, food trucks, and inspirational speakers. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about resources and walk or run the famed 5K loop.

Officer Eduardo Acosta, a member of the police department’s Homeless Outreach Psychiatric Evaluation Team, described the walk as a demonstration of solidarity and compassion for those affected by suicide and mental health struggles.

The event supports National Suicide Prevention Month, which is observed in September. The Pasadena Police Department is collaborating with the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health for this initiative.

If you’d like to support with the purchase of an official event T-Shirt, please purchase here: https://www.betterunite.com/PasadenaPoliceFoundation-walkinremembrance2024

More information is available by contacting Sgt. Kim Baecker at kbaecker@cityofpasadena.net.