SOS Out of the Darkness Walk

Our 2007 Out of Darkness Community Walk

Was a great success: Measured by the hearts comforted and the minds expanded! Our Hampton Roads community responded very favorably to our Second Walk with over 500 coming together to bring depression and suicide out of the darkness into the light . . . On behalf of the Hampton Roads S.O.S. and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, we thank you for this past support as we invite you now to be a part of our third annual Walk!
For more information, contact: Chris Gilchrist, LCSW (757) 483-5111.

Join us for our 3rd
Out of the Darkness Community Walk

September 13, 2008
At Mt. Trashmore, Virginia Beach

Walk with thousands across the country in recognizing
THE NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION WEEK!

Come in the name of raising awareness of depression and suicide

Together we can save lives!

YOU CAN REGISTER NOW by clicking the button below

IMPORTANT: Registration is at the AFSP website. It is helpful to AFSP if they have you email address and it is required to register. If you do not have an e-mail address or do not want to disclose it, or if a second person would be using the same address (the AFSP system will not accept 2 addresses the same), please enter a bogus email in the format (i.e. John@Doe.com). We apologize to you and AFSP for this method but this is a requirement to register and we need to know how many will be attending our walk.

Why should you be involved with the Walk?

The Hampton Roads Survivors of Suicide Support Group is for bereaving individuals who have lost a loved one to suicide. It has met monthly for 20 years to provide a safe place where you learn that you are not alone and that there is help for you in your grief. (click S.O.S. Meetings). Because members of S.O.S. hope that others can be spared the pain and tragedy that they’ve suffered, we made a decision in 2005 to be the local sponsors of Virginia’s first Out of the Darkness Community Walk.
With this commitment, we formed a national partnership with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), our country’s only non-profit organization exclusively devoted to prevent suicide by using donations to fund research, education and treatment programs. With our joint sponsorship, we centered on three important goals: to further healing by remembering and honoring loved ones; to increase awareness of depression and suicide while countering isolation and stigma; and to raise money for AFSP in preventing suicide.

Your involvement is important in accomplishing these goals. Of course you can participate by walking one of the three different trails at Mt. Trashmore. And / or, you are also encouraged to participate in the other many activities that we have planned: Our Program of Remembrance, Celebration, and Hope; complimentary refreshments; the availability of Mental Health Professionals and Information; Children’s Activity Table; Memory Wall; Crane-Making Table; Frisbee Art; and After-Walk Picnic with a live band.
Although we believe in the positive impact of AFSP in its efforts to prevent suicide, we want you to feel equally free to raise or not to raise money. If you choose to collect donations, you can do this by having people sponsor your walking or by adding your own personal donation or that of friends, working associates, businesses, or corporations. (click About Donations). Whether you are involved in walking; event activities; or raising donations, you can do this either individually or as a “group” which might consist of a family, work associates, or individuals with shared interests and concerns, etc. In 2007, some groups gave themselves a name. With this possibility of walking in a group, we've decided not to promote a “team” concept as we want to deter any tendency of competition. After all, we’re all walking together – shoulder to shoulder – whether we participate as an individual or as a member of a group or whether we raise a lot of money or none.

Please know, you are very welcome regardless of how you may participate.

With this spirit, we can make a difference in preventing suicide which is a major national health problem that takes lives and with it an enormous toll on family, friends, co-workers and the entire community.

Important Facts we remember about depression and suicide;

Each year, in the United States, more than 32,000 people die by suicide; it is the 11th leading cause of death
There are almost twice as many suicides as homicides
Every 17 minutes, a person takes their own life
Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death of 15-24 year olds
In Virginia one out of every four individuals eighteen years or older who dies by suicide is a veteran
Survivors of suicide are five times more at risk for suicide themselves
Approximately 18.8 million people suffer from depression. There are over 750,000 suicide attempts each year.
Over ninety percent of all people who die by suicide have a diagnosable psychiatric disorder at the time of their death; thirty-three percent of suicides have a substance abuse component
Depression is treatable
If you or someone you love is in crisis you can always call:

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
at 1-800-273-TALK

OUR WALK IS A WAY TO SOLVE THIS MAJOR HEALTH PROBLEM

Everyone who is coming to the Walk needs to register whether you are walking, sponsoring a walker, or just planning to participate in being a part of the program activities. We want a count to be sure we have enough complimentary food and music for you. We also suggest you register because in doing so you are covered under the AFSP's insurance for walk participants.

If you are walking to raise money for AFSP, you are contributing to a very worthwhile cause. But, also know, you are welcome just to walk or to share in this time - - as we take steps to bring depression & suicide out of the darkness.

Please continue to our Events Page (click here) to read about the schedule of our Walk.