The public is invited to join Cassie Clinger Moon for the Suicide Awareness Walk on Saturday, September 27 at Intermittent Spring. The walk is easy enough for children and families to participate, and provides a special opportunity to remember loved ones, reflect, and connect with others in the community.

For Cassie Moon, talking about suicide is not something to be whispered about—it’s something to be faced head on. The Freedom resident and Patient Service Representative at Star Valley Health knows from experience the weight of silence, the power of stigma, and the healing that comes when people finally feel safe enough to speak.

“I share my story to bring awareness,” Cassie said in an interview with SVI Media. “It’s okay to talk about it. People are not alone in feeling those feelings. Being open makes a huge difference.”

It started as Cassie’s personal battle with depression, self-harm, and a near-fatal suicide attempt when she was nearly 17– It has grown into a mission to support others walking through darkness. Her Facebook group, “We Are Not Alone”, has grown to over 750 members, giving people a space to connect, ask questions, and share coping strategies.

Since February 2024, Cassie has led suicide awareness walks in Star Valley. Cassie shares that the upcoming Saturday awarness walk is an easy trail to navigate and provides time to “relax and ponder.” She recalls last year’s walk and how the group was able to walk, sit alone or gather together to talk with others as they remember those who have been lost—but also to leave when you’re ready.

The Suicide Awareness Walk is set for Saturday, September 27, at Intermittent Spring. “We will meet at 5:00 in the parking area and walk to the intermittent spring” Cassie said the location was chosen for its peace and natural beauty, offering participants a meaningful space to reflect and connect. She also hopes to continue holding additional events throughout the year.

Cassie’s story—marked by depression starting at age 12, trauma during her teen years, and the critical moment when a school janitor found her after a suicide attempt—has now become a source of strength for others.

A few years following her own struggles, Cassie lost her uncle to suicide. “I feel like this is the reason I’m still here–to share my story, to bring awareness to all of it, and to help other people to know it’s OK to talk about. Hopefully it prevents them from attempting [suicide] and to know they are not alone in feeling these feelings,” she said.

Through her walks, online support groups, and community events, Clinger hopes to turn her own challenges into a lifeline for others. By sharing her story openly, she encourages people to speak about their struggles and seek help before it’s too late.

In the February 21, 2024 edition of the Star Valley Independent, Julie Dockstader Heaps wrote a feature on Cassie titled, “I just want to help one person,” which highlights more about Cassie and her story.

Now a mother of two boys and a newborn girl, and a stepmother to four more children, Cassie leans on her family for continued support. She knows her mental health journey will always be part of her life, but she’s determined to use it as a way to help others.

Resources and Support

Cassie is honest about the challenges of finding local mental health resources. “There aren’t a lot of options in the valley,” she said. Still, she points to lifelines that can help in times of crisis:

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Primary Care Providers at Star Valley Health

Emergency Room services if immediate help is needed

Behavioral Health Center in Idaho Falls

Trusted family and friends who can be the first point of connection

For more information or to join her support community, visit We Are Not Alone on Facebook.