Join us for our 7th
Out of the Darkness Community Walk
September 8, 2012
(Severe Weather Date: September 15, 2012)
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 and/or...
Come in the name of remembering a loved one lost to suicide
Registration for our 2012 Walk is now open!
Click Here to Register.
Join us for our 2012 Walk and together we can bring depression and suicide out of the darkness into the light.
In Hampton Roads, we have many great Walks to promote good physical health.
The Out of the Darkness Community Walk is the Walk in our community and across the nation to promote good mental health.
WHEN YOU ARE INVOLVED WITH THE WALK, YOU ARE A PART OF PROMOTING GOOD MENTAL HEALTH.
Both good physical and good mental health are necessary for overall well-being of each individual. And, both can have, at times, life or death critical urgency.
In realizing that over 90% of those who take their own life were suffering from a diagnosable psychiatric disorder, primarily major depression, we can then understand that this is not a moral matter - - rather, a treatable, medical matter. In fact, the number one cause of suicide is untreated depression! Therefore, if we can educate people to recognize the symptoms of depression and to seek help, we can prevent suicide.
This is the commitment which spirits the Out of the Darkness Community Walk. For all six years, it has been organized and supported locally by the Hampton Roads Survivors of Suicide Support Group, which has met over 23 years to provide a safe place for individuals who have lost a loved one to suicide. (Click SOS Meetings). Because members of S.O.S. hope that others can be spared the pain and tragedy that they’ve suffered, they’ve strengthened their efforts by forming a partnership with the national organization, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) , our country’s leading non-profit exclusively dedicated to prevent suicide.
With this joint sponsorship, three important goals have been set: first, to increase awareness of the disease of depression and of the tragedy of suicide. To further this objective, we have an informative and moving program with several exceptional speakers. There are also over 20 professional counselors present who can: provide emotional support; answer questions; and hand out information and booklets which address depression, suicide prevention, and grieving. Because this Walk is a family event, there are materials geared for children, teens, and adults. The counselors can also assist you in taking a Depression Inventory, which is available.
The second goal of the Walk is to provide support in remembering and in healing from the loss of a loved one who has died by suicide. To facilitate this grieving: participants can have the name of their loved one read during the program; wear a colored armband in remembrance; or hang their picture on the Memory Wall.
The third goal of the Walk is to raise money for the AFSP. Any donation to this non-profit are put to good use as 84 cents to the dollar go to suicide prevention through research, education and treatment plans.
With a focus on these three objectives, the morning is also a time to celebrate our lives. So, people are able to share in a hopeful spirit by enjoying: a complimentary breakfast (Chick-fil-A, Starbucks, Flowers Bakery pastries); a wonderful program of Awareness, Remembrance and Celebration; Activities (crafts, decorating frizbees, folding a crane table); After-Walk Picnic with music by the Ben Phelps Project Band, complementary Rita’s Italian Ice and someone will receive a beautiful quilt as a gift. Throughout the Walk, free pictures can be taken of families and groups.
To learn more about these activities, please continue.
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 and the drawing of the Crane Peace Quilt as a gift.
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. Any money raised is put to good use as 84 cents to the dollar goes to suicide prevention through research, education & treatment programs. Donations for the 2011 Walk began January 1, 2011. (for more information about donations - click here). Collections for donations for the 2011 Walk conclude December 31, 2011. Donations toward the 2012 Walk begin January 1, 2012. 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.
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:
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. You can register on-line, over the phone (1-888-333-2377) or the morning of the Walk. Registration for the 2012 Walk will begin in Spring. Please continue to follow our website as we will keep updating it with new information.
If you are walking to raise money for AFSP, you are contributing to a very worthwhile cause. As a gesture or appreciation, if you raise $150 or more, you will be given a free AFSP Out of the Darkness Community Walk T-Shirt. 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 and events of our Walk.
