Walking "Out of the Darkness" with AFSP

Today marked Jamestown's second annual "Out of the Darkness Walk" for the prevention of suicide. This walk is a fundraising effort of the American Foundation for the Prevention of Suicide or the AFSP.

While it can be difficult to discuss loss as a result of a suicide, this agency and the people walking today bravely walked to lift up the need for greater support for and connection with mental health resources.

It was a great honor to participate in this walk today with some members of True Sisterhood Jamestown, a women's fellowship group from First Lutheran Church of Jamestown, as well as many local agencies and individuals willing to speak up for those who have died as a result of suicide.

This walk was filled with an atmosphere of hope, support and was a coming together of people from all walks of life - to honor those we miss and to work to help others who struggle to walk in the light.

At the conclusion of the walk, balloons that had the names of loved ones that have died were released as a prayer, a remembrance and a reminder to carry light to those who need it most of all.

Until we meet again... Peace.

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Uphill idealist

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