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Stories about Community Walk

2023 Natioanl Capital Area Community Walks: Presented by Leidos

Why We Walk: Stories About Out of the Darkness Community Walks

To learn more about why people continue to join our Community Walks year after year, we encourage you to read the following stories written firsthand by AFSP volunteers, chapter staff, and employees.

Attendees smiling and interacting at an Atlanta Out of the Darkness Community Walk

We’ve Come So Far: Celebrating the 20th Annual Atlanta Out of the Darkness Community Walk for Suicide Prevention

AFSP's Out of the Darkness Walks raise awareness and much-needed funds to combat suicide, which has long been a leading cause of death. The Atlanta Community Walk holds a special place in my heart – especially this year, as it is Atlanta’s 20th annual event.

Young Taylor Ryan with her mother, Sabrina Jones.

To Make Sense of My Mother’s Suicide, I Had to Understand My Own Relationship to Mental Health

When I was 14 years old, I lost my mother, Sabrina Jones, to suicide. Up until my mom's death, I did not understand to what extent mental health could affect your everyday life, including my own.

Jenniffer Moffett's stepdad Tom smiling and driving a boat.

We Need to Do This for Dad

This year I will have lived my life longer without Tom than with him. But he is with me every time I tell his story, train a suicide prevention class, visit with a suicide loss survivor, and attend an Out of the Darkness walk.

New York Long Island Chapter volunteer Jaclyn Haber smiling with a white t-shirt that says, "Chief Hope Hugger."

How I Became a Chief Hope Hugger at The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Out of the Darkness Walks

I first got involved with AFSP because of my own person struggles with mental health. As a volunteer I want to support everyone I can, and I discovered I could do that with something as simple as giving a hug!

Ramani Rangavajhula at a Community Walk

Out of the Darkness Walker Spotlight Interview: Ramani Rangavajhula

September is National Suicide Prevention Month. Since 2002, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Out of the Darkness Walks have brought friends, neighbors, family members and colleagues together to walk through their communities to raise public awareness and funds to support suicide prevention.

Allison smiles at the camera

It’s Okay to Say Suicide: How We’re Encouraging Conversations in Dentistry and Beyond

It was ten days before Christmas of 2017 when my family lost my brother to suicide. I can still remember the moment my dad called to break the news. I was in disbelief. How could Jason – the brother who always seemed so happy, the proud father of three kids, the devoted husband to a loving wife – take his own life?

Erica McBeth's Headshot

Fighting Loneliness Through Connection

2017 was a tough year for me. My heart had been broken. I was plagued by a medical issue throughout a good portion of the year. The new job I thought was going to be lucrative wasn’t.

Sign that says hope

I Walk Because My Life is Worth Living

I walk because suicide prevention matters to me and isn’t spoken about enough. No one should suffer alone or in silence. I walk because my passion in life is to share my experiences in hopes that they can help someone else.

Colorful flower petals of varying shapes

Finding Peace After a Suicide: One Walker's Healing Journey in Nature

An ode to the out of darkness community walks and the joy of finding peace and healing in nature after loss.

Taryn Hiatt, AFSP Utah and Nevada Area Director

Facing the Pain

My first suicide attempt happened at age 13. When I left the hospital, I told my parents about the sexual abuse. I was asked to “pretend it didn’t happen.” Drugs and alcohol became my solution, and – in a way – kept me alive for many, many years.

Angela Perry

Learning to Live for Myself

I went home that night, and for the first time in a very long time, felt I could breathe again.