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On September 26, 2015, Bellwood-Antis High School’s Aevidum group will be participating in an event called the Out of the Darkness Walk. This walk supports people and families who have been impacted by the devastating effects of suicide. When you walk in the Out of the Darkness Walk, you join the effort to raise awareness and support survivors of suicide loss.

Every day, approximately 112 Americans take their own life. When you walk, you are not only supporting others who have gone through suicide loss, but you yourself are taking a stand against suicide and showing others that you care. There are so many reasons to participate in the Out of the Darkness Walk. Besides, why wouldn’t you participate? All you have to do is walk.

One good reason to walk is that it can get people to talk about suicide and depression. Every year suicide claims more lives than war, murder, and natural disasters combined, and yet it still goes unnoticed. How is that possible? It is because people don’t talk about it. They keep it all bundled up inside until they can’t handle the pain anymore. Some people need someone to talk to, some people need professional help, and others just need a friend to listen to how they feel.

But, most suicidal people are scared to talk to someone because they think that they will be judged or punished for feeling the way that they do. You having a conversation with them could possibly save their life. There is a quote that says “Suicide doesn’t take away your pain, it just gives it to someone else”- Unknown.

When people are suicidal, they normally show some type of sign. Some of the signs include lack of care about dress and appearance, a sudden change in weight, giving away possessions, sudden and striking personality changes, and/or withdrawal from friends and social activities. By participating in the Out of the Darkness walk, you can learn about how to recognize the signs and what actions to take if you see them in someone you know. In most cases, all it takes is one person to notice the slightest change in someone to save their life.

By participating in the Out of the Darkness Walk, you are helping raise money to assist the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention(AFSP) fund research, create educational programs, advocate for public policy and support survivors of suicide loss. According to the AFSP, “Thanks to Walkers and Donors like you, we have been able to set a goal to reduce the annual suicide rate 20% by 2025”. Just by walking, we can reduce the suicide rate by 20%!

With all that being said, you have no excuse not to come and walk. On September 26, 2015, walk with Bellwood-Antis High School to support individuals and families who have had to face the effects of suicide in their lives. After all, why wouldn’t you? The only thing you have to do is walk, but at the same time you are helping raise awareness for a great cause.