Out of the Darkness Walk offers rays of light in City Park
Several resource tents were set up for Saturday’s Mid-Ohio Valley Out of the Darkness Walk, including Westbrook Health Service and Coplin Health Systems. (Photo by Gretchen Dowler)
Zachary Hall hands out honor beads to event attendees during the Mid-Ohio Valley Out of the Darkness Walk Saturday afternoon at City Park in Parkersburg. (Photo by Gretchen Dowler)
Before the Mid-Ohio Valley Out of the Darkness Walk started at noon Saturday, an Honor Bead ceremony was held to identify those who might be going through similar experiences. (Photo by Gretchen Dowler)
The Mid-Ohio Valley Out of the Darkness Walk is aimed at suicide prevention and raises awareness for mental health. The walk also gives support to survivors of suicide loss and those with lived experiences and personal struggles of suicide. (Photo by Gretchen Dowler)
Several resource tents were set up for Saturday’s Mid-Ohio Valley Out of the Darkness Walk, including Westbrook Health Service and Coplin Health Systems. (Photo by Gretchen Dowler)
Zachary Hall hands out honor beads to event attendees during the Mid-Ohio Valley Out of the Darkness Walk Saturday afternoon at City Park in Parkersburg. (Photo by Gretchen Dowler)
Before the Mid-Ohio Valley Out of the Darkness Walk started at noon Saturday, an Honor Bead ceremony was held to identify those who might be going through similar experiences. (Photo by Gretchen Dowler)
The Mid-Ohio Valley Out of the Darkness Walk is aimed at suicide prevention and raises awareness for mental health. The walk also gives support to survivors of suicide loss and those with lived experiences and personal struggles of suicide. (Photo by Gretchen Dowler)
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PARKERSBURG -- The 16th annual Mid-Ohio Valley Out of the Darkness Walk was held Saturday afternoon at City Park in Parkersburg.
The event promotes suicide prevention and raises awareness for mental health. The walk also gives support to survivors of suicide loss and those with lived experiences and personal struggles with suicide.
This year's Mid-Ohio Valley Out of the Darkness Walk had 20 teams raising awareness and funds for the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention. The top five teams included Walking with Christian ($10,008), Becky's Voice ($3,630), Cam's Crew ($1,103), WARRIORS ($950) and Team Charles ($784). The motorcycle group 304 Ryders also held a recent poker run that raised $500 for the event.
"The proceeds are used to advocate and support research for mental health and find ways to help prevent suicide," said Walk Chairwoman Cathy McGee. "As of this morning, we've raised $37,000 towards the AFSP."
The local Out of the Darkness Walk is the third of the season, September through October, for the West Virginia Chapter of the AFSP. September is Suicide Prevention Month.
Several resource tents were set up for Saturday's walk, including Westbrook Health Service and Coplin Health Systems. Westbrook offers Smart Recovery, a support system for the friends and family of those who struggle with mental health. Coplin now offers psychiatry with its service outreach.
Before the walk started at noon, an Honor Bead ceremony was held to identify those who might be going through similar experiences.
"Losing someone to suicide or struggling with a mental illness can feel like no one understands what you're going through," said West Virginia AFSP Board Chair Cindy Stagg. "But each color shows our personal connection to the cause and helps us identify others who understand our experience."
The honor beads' colors and representations are: white for the loss of a child, red for the loss of a spouse or partner, gold for the loss of a parent, orange for the loss of a sibling, purple for the loss of a relative or friend, silver for the loss of a first responder/military member, green for one's own personal struggles/attempt, teal for support of a loved one who struggles/attempted, blue for supporting suicide prevention and rainbow for honoring the LGBTQ+ community.
"By showing up, you show others that you aren't alone," said McGee.
The next local American Foundation for Suicide Prevention event is International Survivors of Suicide Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18, at the Hampton Inn in Mineral Wells. More information about the event is available by contacting Jeannie Goff at jeannie.goff21@yahoo.com or go to afsp.org/SurvivorDay.
If you or someone you know are in crisis, call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting 741-741.
Gretchen Dowler can be reached at gdowler@newsandsentinel.com