Out of the Darkness Walk this Sunday

Suicide is the fourth leading cause of death for adults in the U-S. People affected by suicide are participating in a walk on Sunday 10/3/10, to remember their loved ones, and to raise awareness.

Suicide is the fourth leading cause of death for adults in the U-S. People affected by suicide are participating in a walk on Sunday, to remember their loved ones, and to raise awareness.

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Out of the Darkness Community
Walks siteMelissa Ann Hopely will be there. The 23-year-old mental health advocate survived a suicide attempt when she was 16. At the time, she was struggling with depression, and bullying at school. She says nobody knew just how badly she was doing:

I lived this great external life, playing sports, and smiling all the time, talking to everyone, so I was great at hiding

Hopely says suicide is still shrouded in shame and secrecy – and people need to start a conversation:

Hopely: I used to be so embarrassed about talking about it, but now, that’s my big thing – let’s talk about this, let’s try to figure out what we can do to help ourselves

Pat Gainey of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention says the “out of the darkness” walk raises money for research and awareness projects. She also says it connects people who share a very painful experience:

Gainey: Bringing them together for a day to let them know that they are not alone in their loss and their grief. Families who have lost someone to suicide can feel like outsiders in their own community, because people don’t know what to say to people who have lost someone to suicide, and they think it will never happen to them of course.

Gainey says over one thousand people will participate in the walk which starts at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.