RIVERTON — One of the busiest intersections in the city was shut down for a few minutes on Saturday morning, to allow a group of high school students and residents to walk across, spreading awareness for suicide prevention.

Participants walked over a mile between the high school and "Spirit Corner," which is on the prominent corner of Redwood Road and 12600 South. Emergency vehicles gave them an escort and shut down roads as the walkers passed, stretching about two blocks from end to end.

Dylan Elliott, a student on Riverton High School's Hope Squad, said that the walk helped him feel like he and others are not alone. He said it was a beautiful symbol that the city would close its two busiest streets, allowing the participants to cross the final stretch and to support the cause — which is to bring hope and awareness for suicide prevention.

Some students in the school's Hope Squad, a nationwide peer-to-peer suicide prevention program, said they hope to share the message that "you are not alone" — others want you to stay alive and "everyone has worth."

Camron Kunz, one of the student life advocates, said that the group wants Saturday's gathering to share an even more simple message — that it's OK to not be OK. He said that the event was almost like therapy for him, as well.

"A lot of it is suicide prevention and awareness, that's a big ticket item, but it's not always that deep and heavy," Kunz said. "Oftentimes it is, but sometimes it's just about adding a bit more hope to daily life. ... Everybody struggles even if it's not that severely. Just adding a little bit more hope to the life of everyone."

There are more than 1,200 Hope Squads, with over 30,000 members, at schools across 35 states and Canada.

The students were grateful for the support of the community and the city, including law enforcement and fire department who came to give them a safe escort, and the city officials who helped plan the event and put up "Hope Week" signs around the city.

Riverton Mayor Trent Staggs said the event is really about community. He said they have been holding the hope walk for over a decade.

"When you see everybody unified wearing the same colors walking on the street, I think it prompts the question, 'What's going on there?' with all the passersby. And that's really what we're trying to do is to raise awareness," he said.

Staggs said he wants people in Riverton, and everywhere, to be more cognizant of the rise in mental health challenges, especially for students. He wants everyone to ask more questions, and be more sensitive.

Earlier during the week, students at Riverton High School heard from Craig Scott, who survived a mass shooting at Colorado's Columbine High School in 1999. What stuck out to Staggs, he said, is the suggestion to just ask someone who is having a hard time to tell you their story.

"Every single one of us have a story that's unique, and it's special. There's something that you're doing that nobody else can do," the mayor said.

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He said the city is very supportive of the week, which is celebrated by students and residents annually in Riverton. Staggs also thanked anyone who has reached out to help others who are struggling.

Bluffdale Mayor Natalie Hall also attended the walk, as Bluffdale lies within the boundaries of Riverton High, and said the biggest message of the walk is that there is support available, and that there are people who want to hear and support you.

"I think this showing here today really shows that," she said.

In 2007, Riverton High School had the highest suicide rate in the state, which led them to create a Hope Squad.

Lisa Carter teaches suicide prevention trainings, known as QPR, for the city. QPR stands for question, persuade and refer things that are helpful when encouraging someone who is considering suicide. The trainings help people prepare for a crisis and know how to respond and recognize signs. She said what people can do to help is simple — just say hello and ask how someone is doing.

"Just one small positive action can help save a life," Carter said.

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