Batesville resident Margie Schwegman lost her son Luke at the young age of 23 to suicide in 2021. Since then, Schwegman has made it her mission to raise awareness surrounding mental illness by sharing Luke’s story with others. Margie’s commitment led her to establish the “Stop the Stigma 5k,” an annual event aimed at honoring loved ones lost to suicide, supporting those battling mental health issues, and promoting open conversations about treatment and recovery. 

“Luke was an old soul in a way,” Margie said. “He was kind of quiet until you got to know him. He was straightforward, simple, and honest. He loved the outdoors: hunting, fishing, kayaking, razor riding, and having a few beers with his friends. He was a hard worker. He didn’t mind putting in some overtime to make a little cash. Luke was also blessed with a dry sense of humor. It would take you by surprise on occasion. I guess that’s what made it so great. You never knew when he would rattle something off, and it would hit your funny bone just right. His smile, damn, when it was authentic, it lit up his whole face and made his eyes sparkle.

 I miss his laugh and his different mannerisms, like brushing his knuckles across his nose.”

Margie said Luke was never formally diagnosed with a mental illness, even though his family encouraged him to see a doctor or therapist. She explained that, in some ways, Luke had two completely different sides and believed some of his actions were due to the silent illness he was battling alone.

“Luke was fully functioning on the outside,” Margie shared. “He had a great job as a truck driver, made good money, was financially responsible, had a sizeable bank account, and paid for big-ticket items in cash (like his truck and his razor). He went out and had friends, though oftentimes, when he did go out, he drank too much. Looking back now, I believe this was done in an effort to relax and fit in.”

However, Marige said that other times, Luke was withdrawn and would not want to go out at all.

“Some Friday or Saturday nights, he would stay home with me,” Margie said. “When I would ask him why, he would give the typical responses of ‘I am tired, bored, or just don’t feel like it.’ He would go back and forth between these two scenarios. In the weeks that followed Luke’s death, a close friend of his mentioned that he knew Luke had just recently started using mushrooms. I knew that Luke drank and had smoked pot, but I had no idea about mushrooms. I also believe this was just another attempt to alleviate his depression.” 

After Luke’s death, while Margie was dealing with the unimaginable loss of a child, she committed to doing something to honor her son while helping others. 

“I didn’t know what I needed to do, but I knew I needed to do something,” Margie shared. “So I prayed about it and asked God to give me a purpose for the pain and to create a positive out of a negative. I wanted Luke’s life to mean something and to help others who are trapped in this cycle of hell.” 

After much prayer and deliberation, Margie came up with the idea for the “Stop the Stigma” 5k.

“I want to bring these topics into the light and provide education and knowledge around them,” Margie said. “I want to show people they are not alone in this battle and that there is help...and lastly, to attain funds to support individuals and organizations with resources to educate and provide awareness to schools and the community.”

So, in January 2022, Margie presented the idea to Margaret Mary Health, and the first “Stop the Stigma 5k” was held in September 2023. The 5k is now an annual event and will be held this year on Saturday, Sept. 14, at the MMH Six Pine Ranch Campus. It is a non-competitive event designed for walkers and runners of all ages and abilities. All proceeds benefit the Health Foundation’s Addiction Services & Behavioral Health Fund.

“This is important to me because I lost my son to a stigma,” Margie said. “The fear of being singled out, made fun of, or treated differently. He was too scared to get the help he desperately needed. No one should have to choose between saving face and saving your life. The walls need to come down, and the stigma attached to mental illness needs to stop.” 

Margie also has a message for those battling mental illness.

“For those who have yet to seek treatment, I would encourage them to realize that mental illness is just that, an illness and the nature of this illness is to isolate, to make you feel alone, unworthy, unloved, and that no one cares or will ever understand. But that’s the lie this illness creates. There are people and organizations who do care and are willing to help. Please take the first step and begin to build the life you deserve. You’re worth it! To those that are currently in treatment, I would reinforce how important it is to stay in constant communication with your doctors and/or therapist. Be your own mental health advocate. Medication and different therapies are constantly changing, and it is your job to let providers know what is and is not working for them.”

During the event, participants are asked to wear honor beads. The beads are available in a multitude of colors, each representing the participants’ personal connection to the cause. When registering, participants can choose from the following colors:

Purple: Loss of a relative or friend

Red: Loss of a spouse or partner

Orange: Loss of a sibling

White: Loss of a child

Green: Survivor

Blue: I support the cause

Yard signs in honor or memory of a loved one are available for purchase. Signs will be displayed along the Margaret Mary Health walking trail during September. Please e-mail the photo you would like to use on the yard sign to Kasi Christin at [email protected] by Tuesday, Sept. 3. To register for the event, visit mmhealth.org/stop-the-stigma-5k/.

The event has become a symbol of hope and support for the community, helping to break down the barriers of silence and isolation often associated with mental illness.