VIDALIA — They walked to remember, but they walked to prevent.

Donning shirts with faces of loved ones now gone and pinning photos of those they lost to a board behind the Vidalia Fire Department, members and supporters of the Miss-Lou Suicide Survivors hosted the second-annual survivor’s memorial walk at the Recreation District No. 3 Complex in Vidalia.

The goal of the walk was not only to raise awareness, but to share encouragement for those coping with loss.

Judy Bolyer lost her son Chip in January 2013 after he ended his life amidst marriage troubles and a difficult medical diagnosis. She described her son as a man who loved his family, and especially his children.

“It is hard,” she said. “But this helps, to know that someone else out there has gone through this.”

Connected with the walk is a weekly suicide survivors grief support group  at 6:30 p.m. at Grace United Methodist Church.

“We are walking and learning how to laugh and cry together, and having an interesting time on this journey together,” said Jan Mills, a certified chaplain who participates in the group.

But participants also said suicide awareness is not just about remembering those who have died, but those who have struggled — or continue to struggle —with suicidal impulses and lived.

According to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, warning signs that a person is suicidal can include:

• Talking about wanting to die or to kill themselves.

• Looking for ways to kill themselves.

•  Saying they have no hope or reason to live.

• Saying they feel trapped or can’t cope with pain.

• Saying they feel they are a burden to others.

• Increased drug or alcohol use.

• Anxious, agitated or reckless behavior.

• Getting too little or too much sleep.

• Isolating themselves.

• Talking about revenge.

• Strong mood swings.

Bolyer said if she could tell someone contemplating suicide one thing, it would be that God would not give them more than they can handle.

“It is hard, but the Lord still has a plan for you,” she said.

To learn more about suicide prevention, visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org.

Miss-Lou Suicide Survivors can be found online at on.fb.me/1qpVfOz and at twitter.com/MisslouSuvivors.