UK HealthCare ‘Chalk the Walk’ promotes hope and QPR suicide prevention training
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 12, 2025) — Sidewalks outside Eastern State Hospital managed by UK HealthCare were transformed into colorful pathways of hope during the recent “Chalk the Walk” event. The gathering brought together staff and community members to share uplifting messages in recognition of national Suicide Prevention Day and the 12th anniversary of the opening of the Eastern State Hospital Chandler Kentucky Recovery Center (CKRC). Organized through the UK HealthCare Healthy Kentucky Initiative (HKI), the event encouraged participants to write positive affirmations and information about the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
“It was inspiring to see both staff and community members cover our sidewalks with messages of encouragement, compassion and connection,” said Marc Woods, chief nursing officer, Eastern State Hospital. “The event showed how deeply our ESH/CKRC family cares, not only for each other, but also for anyone who might be struggling. Staff shared how meaningful it felt to contribute words of hope, knowing they might make a difference for someone passing by. The support from the wider community made the event even more powerful, reinforcing that suicide prevention is truly everyone’s mission.”
Messages such as “Healing is a journey, not a destination,” “The world is better because you are in it,” and “Here comes the sun — it’s all right” lined the pavement alongside reminders to call or text 988 for anyone in crisis. The event highlighted the importance of normalizing conversations around mental health and reinforcing that help is always available.
As part of UK HealthCare’s ongoing commitment to prevention and education, HKI is also promoting free online QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) suicide prevention training available to all Kentuckians. The training, which takes less than an hour to complete, teaches participants how to recognize warning signs of suicide, start a conversation with someone who is struggling, and connect someone to professional help.
QPR — often compared to CPR for mental health — equips anyone to act as a first responder when they notice someone in distress. Since the training launched statewide in 2024, thousands of Kentuckians have completed it, with 99% reporting increased confidence in talking about suicide safely and offering support.
To take the free online QPR training, visit kyqpr.org.
UK HealthCare is the hospitals and clinics of the University of Kentucky. But it is so much more. It is more than 10,000 dedicated health care professionals committed to providing advanced subspecialty care for the most critically injured and ill patients from the Commonwealth and beyond. It also is the home of the state’s only National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, a Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit that cares for the tiniest and sickest newborns and the region’s only Level 1 trauma center.
As an academic research institution, we are continuously pursuing the next generation of cures, treatments, protocols and policies. Our discoveries have the potential to change what’s medically possible within our lifetimes. Our educators and thought leaders are transforming the health care landscape as our six health professions colleges teach the next generation of doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other health care professionals, spreading the highest standards of care. UK HealthCare is the power of advanced medicine committed to creating a healthier Kentucky, now and for generations to come.