Health & Fitness
Cookies for Life
Together, we can raise awareness of suicide until everyone knows the signs and how to reach out to friends, family, coworkers, and even strangers who are struggling.
Suicide. If you’ve read some of my previous blog posts here on Patch, you will know that suicide is a word I have danced around. After having dealt with it personally, I know the stigma attached to it. So, when I talk or write about it, I always avoided the word. But as my mental health continues to improve (at its own pace it often seems), I have pledged to help eliminate the stigma attached to the word suicide. So from now on, I will use the word when I mean it.
I’ve written about my struggles with depression and suicidal thoughts before, so I won’t get into it today. Rather, I’d like to take the opportunity to raise awareness of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and specifically your local Out of the Darkness Walk.
One particular walk that is of special importance to me is the one in Columbia on October 6. This is the walk in which my girlfriend will participate. On her own and without my asking, she put together a team, Cookies for Life, in honor of me and—even more touchingly—Cookies. As you should know by now, Cookies is the sweetest and caring kitty in the world. Back in January, I wrote about the day Cookies saved my life when I was considering suicide.
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Laura’s decision to put this team together was touching, because it showed me that she’s ready to accept this part of me without any hesitation. And for her to fully understand Cookies’ place in my heart and name the team after her was just unbelievable. Cookies for Life is definitely something I will support as much as possible.
About the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is at the forefront of research, education and prevention initiatives designed to reduce loss of life from suicide. With more than 36,000 lives lost each year in the U.S. and over one million worldwide, the importance of AFSP's mission has never been greater, nor our work more urgent.
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About Out of the Darkness Community Walks
There are 3-5 mile walks taking place in over 200 communities across the country this fall. By walking in the Out of the Darkness Community Walks, you will be walking with thousands of people nationwide to raise money for AFSP's vital research and education programs to prevent suicide and save lives, increase national awareness about depression and suicide, advocate for mental health issues, and assist survivors of suicide loss.
How you can help
Walk: Check out the local Out of the Darkness Walks. If you want to walk in Columbia on October 6 and need a team, contact Laura via the Cookies for Life page.
Donate: Click the button at the bottom of the page and donate whatever you can. It will help AFSP, and it's 100% tax deductible.
Share: Tell someone. Maybe you aren't in a position to walk or donate, but you probably know someone or lots of someones who can. Breaking the silence gets us one step closer.
Together, we can raise awareness until everyone knows the signs and how to reach out to friends, family, coworkers, and even strangers who are struggling, so no one has to feel silenced or alone.
A special thank you to my friends who have already contributed, including fellow Patch blogger Megan Arts Evans.
