Remembering Jeret, Rallying for Suicide Prevention

By Andrew Mentzer, Boise Weekly

Oct. 1, 2011

This was the scene along Parkcenter Blvd Saturday morning:
Not long ago, one of my more gifted acquaintances met his maker after a tumultuous bout with demons that many of us could never comprehend. Jeret Petersen was much more than a talented skier, and his legacy is quickly becoming something that he probably couldn't have ever fathomed.

Thanks to the efforts of his friends and family, the usually taboo topic of suicide prevention has reached the mainstream in Boise. Petersen's passing has brought an important message out into the open, and the showing for Team Speedy at Saturday's National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) 1, 3 and 5K walk was the proof in the pudding.

Several hundred people showed up for the walk to bring awareness to the complex and often overlooked topic of mental illness. While there was an excellent showing for Team Speedy, friends and loved ones for countless others came to show their support for NAMI. The walk was lively, upbeat and really came across as a celebration rather than a time of mourning. Check out nami-boise.org for more information on NAMI, or thespeedyfoundation.org to get involved with the Speedy Foundation.