Teacher organizes run to highlight hotline

SANDPOINT — Not everyone knows about the new 988 mental health hotline. 

To raise awareness about the free service, North Idaho teacher Stacie Lawler has organized a run and relay in collaboration with the Lake Pend Oreille School District. Lawler, who was named the Idaho Teacher of the Year in 2020, is a physical education teacher who is passionate about educating, running and mental health. This project combines those three passions. 

Her main goal for the event is to let people know that the 988 number exists. In 2020, the U.S. transitioned the national suicide hotline from a 10-digit number to this simpler number, but many aren’t aware of the change. 

“I have just found that in dealing with adolescents that a lot of them aren’t aware of that,” Lawler said. “They’re not aware of the fact that we have that 988 number as opposed to trying to remember the ‘1-800 number.’ The whole intent is just to educate our community, our students, the adults — everybody — about what the new crisis number is.”

She also wants the community to know that, while the number is often recognized as a suicide hotline, it is more than that — it is truly a mental health crisis hotline, she said.

“The suicide hotline isn’t just about somebody who is suicidal,” Lawler said. “It’s about somebody who is maybe having a panic attack, [or] somebody who is really dealing with depression. Being able to remember where you can access help is actually really difficult.”

This 11-mile course can be divided between four runners/walkers or done as one individual adventure, Lawler said. The race will kick off at Sandpoint City Beach at 8 a.m. June 1. From there, the course will take runners across the Long Bridge into Sagle and back. 

While there are currently around 25 people signed up, Lawler said she has a goal of at least 100 participants. The more runners, the more T-shirts that showcase the new number for all to see. An overall female and male winner will receive a new pair of running shoes from Fleet Feet, a local sports gear store. There will also be a prize for the winning relay team. 

For those that can’t participate in person, there is an option to participate virtually by completing a walk or run of one’s own choosing from where they are able. 

Registration: runsignup.com/Race/ID/Sandpoint/988Relay

    Race participants will wear T-shirts that display the 988 number.