AFSP Out of the Darkness walk held
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) held its Washington County Out of the Darkness Walk on Saturday at the Main Street Community Pavilion in Washington, with about 170 participants walking side by side to raise awareness about suicide prevention.
Before the walk, coordinated by the AFSP Western Pennsylvania chapter, a memorial ceremony was held to remember those who lost their lives to suicide and to acknowledge and support those who still struggle.
Participants, led by Team Gypsies, which raised $1,765, then walked to demonstrate that no one has to walk alone.
The event was held during National Suicide Prevention Month and raised more than $8,000 for AFSP.
Jesse Putkoski, the director of the AFSP’s western Pennsylvania chapter, lost her father to suicide in September 2010, and she walks in his memory.
“While this journey began through heartbreak and love, it has continued because along this path I have found healing, strength, hope, friendship, and more love,” said Putkoski. “We are not here because of love that has been lost but because of love that has continued.”
The Out of the Darkness Walk was just one of hundreds of community walks that AFSP has held around the country this year.
Several tables with suicide prevention and mental health resources were set up, and honor beads in 10 different colors to represent different connections people have to suicide – like losing a spouse, partner, sibling, or friend, or someone who has struggled with or attempted suicide.
A wooden “HOPE” sign that people could write messages on was filled with sentiments.
Mellisa Pederson of Pittsburgh participated Saturday in her 10th Out of Darkness Walk, in memory of her best friend, who died in 2017, and her son’s cousin, Mycah Shaw, a graduate of University High School in Morgantown, W.Va., and a student at Howard University, who died in March 2023 at age 20.
“People don’t like to talk about suicide, and we need to bring it out of the darkness and to be able to talk about it and to talk about mental health. It’s important,” said Pederson. “And we need to give kids the tools and resources they need to move forward in life with good mental health.”
Funds raised at the walk will be used to work to eliminate suicide through delivering innovative programs, educating the public about suicide risk factors and warning signs, increasing funding for scientific research, and reaching out to individuals who have lost loved ones.
If you or anyone you know are having suicidal thoughts, call or text 988, the suicide hotline.