'This Is My Purpose': Manteno Man's Mission Takes Him 30 Miles For Mental Health, Suicide Awareness

MANTENO, IL — A Manteno man moved by the need for mental health and suicide awareness took to the streets of his hometown in an effort to shed light on a darkness that overwhelms so many.

Jake Smith, 28, walked 30 miles in one day Sept. 6 — a show of strength, dedication and hope that originated in 2020 following several teen suicides in his hometown. It was first set for a shorter distance and intended to be a group effort, but COVID restrictions interfered, he said.

"While I completely understood, I felt as though there was something that I could still do. I said, ‘I’ll walk this town by myself if I have to,'" he said. "And I actually did that."

His first walk in 2020 was 24 miles. In 2021, he tacked on six more, for a goal of 30—but fell short, at 24. In 2022, he went back to 24 miles. The next year, he ramped back up to 26, and the past two years, has notched 30 miles.

It's now named 30 Miles for Mental Health and Suicide Awareness, showing his intention to stick to a 30-mile route in future walks.

"It sends a message of growth and working hard for something," Smith said. "Even after you fall down, or fail the first time, that doesn’t mean you have to give up on it completely—come back, try again, when you’re more prepared, and know you’re ready."

Smith said he has battled mental health issues throughout his life, stemming back to bullying incidents, both online and at school. Smith is a graduate of Manteno High School and lifelong resident of the town of 9,400-person.

The walk is in September in recognition of National Suicide Prevention Month. Additionally, September 10 is recognized as World Suicide Prevention Day.

"I’ve struggled essentially my whole life, with mental health issues, and I’ve found myself down that dark road of just not seeing that light at the end of the tunnel, and asking myself is it even worth it anymore—does anyone care?" Smith said.

"Even when I graduated high school, I thought I escaped it all. Young, naive, and stupid, essentially. There were a series of youth suicide deaths here in Manteno, and it really just struck me as a big wake-up call."

He felt compelled to do something. This year, he stepped off from the Leo Hassett Community Center at 7:39 a.m., completing his walk through Manteno streets and neighborhoods at 8:25 p.m. A police escort led him into the home stretch, where Manteno Mayor Annette LaMore greeted Smith and his fellow walkers.

This year, he was joined by Emily Hermann, Shaun Brav, Derek Grant, Lincoln Medland, Jeff Davis and Sandy Berry. Emily Hermann & Shaun Brav also walked the full 30 miles. Derek Grant walked 25 miles from Manteno to Kankakee.

"Just thinking about how I could have been one of those statistics, just made me feel inclined and empowered to share my survival story, realize the reason I didn’t give up, was because my purpose hadn’t been served yet. Doing this, is my purpose in life—bringing hope to those are feeling hopeless, because I’ve been down that road. Everything I do comes from real-life experiences, and comes from the heart."

A physical expression of his goal to bring attention to the cause, the walk also has raised funds for organizations that have proven essential in providing mental health support for those in need. Formal fundraising efforts began in 2023, with Smith raising $7,000 for three local organizations.

He selected local causes, to keep the focus on his hometown and surrounding area. Organizations selected include the Sam Myers Foundation For Suicide And Mental Health Awareness—started in memory of Manteno's Sam Myers, who took his own life in 2016 at the age of 19. Others supported include Fortitude Community Outreach, a Kankakee County grassroots nonprofit that provides services and street outreach for the homeless. Manteno-based Project Headspace and Timing was also chosen. It was founded to promote positive mental health practices to our nation’s veterans by working to unify them with their communities, nature, and themselves.

Others selected include Iroquois Mental Health Center of Manteno, Harbor House of Kankakee County and Clove Alliance.

Smith has been touched by support for the causes—and those have cheered him along the way throughout his walks. Smith used social media to share mile-by-mile updates along his route. Members of Manhattan community Facebook group Manhappenin's. Group members praised Smith each step of his way, and it didn't go unnoticed.

"It’s special," Smith said. "To see a community you don’t even live in, rally around you, believe in you and your cause—what you stand for—just to see something like that is truly special, means so much to have a community that I don’t even live in, to make me feel like I’m one of their own. Show so much support for not only myself, but my team and my people. ... It just means the world. I couldn’t appreciate all that support more. I couldn’t be more thankful for it."

Shelly Lewis encouraged Smith via social media as he made his trek. Lewis' son Jackson took his own life in 2020 at the age of 15.

"Jake’s walk is such an inspiring effort, and it means a great deal to families like mine who have been personally impacted by suicide," Lewis told Patch."Losing my son, Jackson, was the most heartbreaking experience of my life, and it’s something no parent should ever have to face.

"Seeing Jake use his voice and his actions to raise awareness gives me hope. It reminds me that every step, every conversation, and every bit of awareness can help reduce the stigma around mental health and possibly save lives. His walk not only honors those we’ve lost but also encourages open dialogue and compassion for those who may be struggling.

"I’m grateful for his commitment, and I support his journey wholeheartedly."

Smith hopes his effort can stir a renewed sense of hope in those who need it.

"It’s not easy, but we’re here for a reason, and every single day that we wake up, every single breath that you take is a purpose, and that’s another chance," Smith said, as advice to those in distress. "If you give up today, you’ll never know if tomorrow could change your life forever, for the better, that you could become somebody.

"If I would have given up when I wanted to, all those years that I wanted to give up—I wouldn’t be here, be able to talk about this, do all of this. If you give up now, you’ll never know if you can change the world one day."