Out of the Darkness Butler County Walk will be Saturday at Three Rivers College in Poplar Bluff.
The Out of the Darkness Experience is a journey of remembrance, hope and support. It unites communities and provides an opportunity to acknowledge the ways in which suicide and mental illness have affected lives and the lives of those loved and care about, according to organizers.
Registration will begin at 4 p.m. and the event will be from 5-7 p.m. A candlelight vigil will begin at 7:30 p.m.
“We’re moving forward with plans to host our Out of the Darkness Community Walks in person beginning in fall 2021,” said organizers Carl Harbison and Corey Reynolds. “The health and safety of our participants, staff and volunteers will be our top priorities as we work with local authorities to make decisions about event details, and we’ll continue to offer options to participate online and in your neighborhood. Now, more than ever, it’s important to be there for one another and take steps to safeguard our mental health and prevent suicide.”
Harbison and Reynolds agree, “Our community has always been the heart of the Out of the Darkness Walks. The global pandemic has impacted the emotional and economic well-being of many individuals and families, and left many of us to manage a variety of emotions, including feelings of uncertainty.
“We also know increases in suicide are not a foregone conclusion if we act now to mitigate risk and support the mental health of our friends, families and neighbors. But we need your help. Every dollar you raise through the Out of the Darkness Walks allow AFSP to invest in life-saving research, education, advocacy and support for those impacted by suicide.”
It’s more important than ever to stay connected, the duo stressed. Though there are many unknowns, there are a few things organizers say are known:
• You belong to a strong community united in an effort to fight suicide while showing up for yourself, recognizing and honoring those you love, raising awareness, educating communities, supporting one another and sharing hope.
• The community remains dedicated to providing you with opportunities to connect, heal, share stories, create impact and show you that you are not alone.
• Mental health and suicide prevention are more important than ever, and we’re confident that with your help, we can reach more people than ever before.
Losing someone to suicide or struggling with a mental illness can feel like no one understands what you are going through. Unlike other illnesses, it is difficult to look at someone and know their connection. There is an honor bead for everyone, whether you have lost a loved one, struggle personally, support a friend and/or family member, or all of the above.
For more information, contact Harbison and Reynolds at 573-300-9149, creynolds@trcc.edu, 573-915-6531 carl.harbison@fccinc.org.
After registering, you can share you joined the fight to #stopsuicide by sharing one of these social shareables for the Butler County walk.
Resources are available by visiting www.afsp.org/resources.