Cranford Native Will Walk 18 Miles For Suicide Prevention

From June 1-2, Cranford native Marisa Fazio will participate in the American
Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Out of the Darkness Overnight, a 16 to 18-mile walk from sunset to sunrise, to raise funds and awareness for suicide prevention.

“I was diagnosed with depression at the age of 12. It’s a constant battle to fight the darkness. There is a horrible stigma around it, but depression is no one’s fault and certainly not demonstrated for any means of attention. It’s real and it’s painful and we need to help in any way that we can," Fazio said.

According to Fazio, it's important to let young people know that there is no shame in depression or “mental illness” and there is help available to them.

"So many teenagers and young adults are turning to drugs and alcohol to numb the pain. Drugs and alcohol are never the solution," she said.

Fazio said most people need some combination of medication and therapy. Even with medication there is a great need to learn new tools to cope with your emotions. Dialectical Behavior Therapy is a cutting edge but little known type of therapy that is proven to be very effective for many people who struggle with intense emotions.

"It’s important for close friends and family to be educated so they can effectively support a healthy lifestyle for that person and recognize signs that they may be at risk for suicide," Fazio said. "No one should ever have to suffer alone."

Fazio explained that a very close friend and co-worker of hers lost her son to suicide last year in February. Scott C. Bellucci was only 24 years old.

"I’m walking in The Overnight this year in his honor and for her family. According to AFSP close to one million people will make a suicide attempt and more than 38,000 will die by suicide in the U.S. this year. I want to take action to prevent suicide,” she said.

The Foundation hopes that by bringing this event to the nation’s capital it will elevate a national conversation about suicide prevention as well as motivate leaders to take more action regarding this serious public health problem.

Proceeds from the Out of the Darkness Overnight support research and a variety of prevention, education and advocacy programs including distribution of the Foundation’s More Than Sad educational program on teen depression and suicide prevention to high schools across the country.

To support Marisa Fazio visit her fundraising webpage http://theovernight.donordrive.com/participant/MarisaFazio. For more information about The Overnight, call 888-The-Overnight or visit www.TheOvernight.org.

If you or someone you know is in crisis or having thoughts of suicide, remember that help is available. For more information about suicide such as risk factors and warning signs, visit www.AFSP.org.