Out of Darkness: Walking to Save Lives

First Link’s Annual Walk of Hope
Podcast by HPR

By Skyy Lynn
Contributing Writer

“I miss my sister. I wish I could have done something to prevent her from taking her life. Perfect vision is looking back at the scenario wondering how I could have helped.” This is the voice of a survivor of suicide loss.

A life is lost to suicide every 15 minutes in the United States. Suicide is the third leading cause of death among 15 to 24 year olds, and the second leading cause of death among college students. Individuals ages 65 and older account for 16 percent of all suicides. 

According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), suicide claims more than 33,000 lives each year. It is estimated that an attempt is made every minute, with close to one million people attempting suicide annually.  This is a public health issue that does not discriminate by age, gender, or socioeconomic status.
In North Dakota, suicide claims a life every four days.

This can change by raising awareness and by erasing the stigma that surrounds suicide and its causes, and by encouraging the 20 million people who are suffering from depression to seek treatment.

Please join in the fifth annual Fargo-Moorhead Out of the Darkness Community Walk to be held at Lindenwood Park’s main shelter on Sunday, September 26 at 2:00 P.M. Last year there were over 600 participants. The goal this year is to raise $40,000.

There are five additional walks across the state they will be held in Williston, Bismarck-Mandan, Grand Forks, Minot and Valley City.

The event is held in recognition of National Suicide Prevention Week, which is the first week of September. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention North Dakota Chapter is the organizer of these events.

Whether or not you have been touched personally by suicide, please join in the walk—everyone is welcome. The event will be held regardless of weather conditions. By participating in Out of the Darkness you will not just be walking, and your donors will not just be writing a check. You will be helping to save lives.

The Community Walk also helps to raise funds for: suicide prevention research; educational programs to increase awareness of prevention, warning signs and psychiatric illnesses that can lead to suicide; and assistance for survivors of suicide loss.

Last year’s event raised money to train five new educational facilitators for the Survivor of Suicide Loss Support Group in our community, and even one
Spanish speakers’ support group facilitated by Martha Castanon.

Last year in cooperation with the foundation and its North Dakota chapter, the North Dakota State University Counseling Center began using an interactive web-based screening program. 80 percent of college students who died by suicide did not seek help from their institution’s counseling.

This year in the Fargo Public School District a film aimed at prevention, called “More Than Sad: Teen Depression,” has been added to the curriculum. Approximately 1,000 ninth grade students will view the film this year in their health classes.

If you or someone you know is talking about suicide get help. Don’t dismiss the signs; be informed. There is help available.

Suicide can be prevented. While some suicides occur without any outward warning, most people give warnings. Prevent the suicide of loved ones by learning to recognize the signs of someone at risk, taking those signs seriously and knowing how to respond to them.

For more information, visit http://www.outofthedarkness.org and http://www.afsp.org/northdakota.

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If You Go

What: Out of Darkness Community Walk
Where: Lindenwood Park
When: Sun, Sept 26, 2pm
Info: 701.219.4110

Warning Signs of Suicide

Serious depression: unrelenting low mood, pessimism, hopelessness, desperation, inner tension, withdrawal.

Sleep problems.

Increased alcohol and/or other drug use.

Recent impulsiveness and taking unnecessary risks.

Threatening suicide or expressing a strong wish to die.

Making a suicide plan.

Giving away prized possessions.

Sudden or impulsive purchase of a firearm.

Obtaining the means of killing oneself, such as poisons or medications.

Unexpected rage or anger, especially arguments causing estrangement from best friend(s)/family.