Suicide is a major health concern in Oxford County, and one local group is raising awareness and educating local residents about its impact.

Saturday World Suicide Prevention Day the Oxford Suicide Prevention Coalition (OSPC) is hosting a five kilometre memorial run. This Run for their Lives! event is intended to raise awareness while fundraising for educational and training purposes.

"The mission of the OSPC is to eradicate the stigma associated with talking about suicide and suicide deaths," said Ed Cook, a member of the coalition. "We also want to let people know who they can contact if they, themselves, or someone they know is contemplating suicide."

This is the first year for the walk/run that was established to act as a memorial for those who lives where lost while raising awareness about suicide and the local coalition.

In Oxford County, there’s anywhere from eight to 20 deaths by suicide a year, with a provincial average of 12 suicides a year per 100,000 people.

According to the World Health Organization, every year more people die by suicide than by homicide or war related injuries. The organization estimate suicide is the 13th leading cause of death worldwide.

Suicide is currently the third leading cause of death for people aged 15 to 24. Health Canada said the sector of the population having the highest suicide rates amongst all Canadian populations is men over the age of 80.

Cook said the OSPC is trying to reach out to youth and senior workers, with suicide prevention training programs like applied suicide prevention skills training.