Out of Darkness Overnight

For years I have wanted to participate in this incredible event.  It's always so far away so I've never been able to afford it, and I never felt motivated to raise the required $1000 (which goes towards research and services provided by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention).  I have always hoped that "some day..." I would get to do it.

Well, upon returning from my 8th stay in the psych ward on Sunday, I saw that they were giving a 50% off discount if you registered this week, which brings the registration fee to only $25.  So, I figured worst case scenario is that I'll be out $25, which isn't terrible.  Best case scenario, I find a way to get there and be a part of this event that I believe in wholeheartedly.

I want to walk for me- to walk out of the darkness and into the dawn of a new day, such beautiful representation of the daily struggle and the hope.  I want to walk for my friends and family that have been so faithful to journey with me as I live with mental illness- to celebrate that they don't have to walk in memory of me.  I want to walk for all those who live with mental illness, whether for a season or for life- to declare that we are in this together and we don't have to be ashamed anymore.  I want to walk for those who have lost people they love to death by suicide- to acknowledge the depth of their grief and confusion and frustration, and to thank them for helping me see the effects my suicide would have had on the people in my life.  I want to walk for the cause- the stigma has to end, people need to be educated, resources need to become more helpful and more available, the silence about mental illness has to break.  And I want to walk because I believe that part of why I am around after surviving 3 suicide attempts is because God wants to use my experiences, knowledge, passion... my voice counts.

So, I'm hoping that by some crazy miracle, I'll be in Washington DC this June, walking with each step as a step of healing and growth for me, and walking together with the community of people across the country who know the reality of suicide too well.  If you have any ideas as to how to make this happen, or want to join me by helping me raise the $1000, leave a comment.  I really want to make this happen... somehow...

This year's Out of the Darkness Overnight promo video:

Here is some basic information from the event website:

About the walk:  The Out of the Darkness Overnight is a walk like no other. It's a 16-18 mile journey through the night, from dusk until dawn where a courageous community of men and women like you will break the silence and bring the issues of depression and suicide into the light.
Why we walk:  A suicide attempt happens every minute of every day. Every 14 minutes, someone in the U.S. dies by suicide. These statistics are staggering and yet remain hidden and not discussed. We walk to bring the issues of suicide, depression, and mood disorders into the spotlight and to continue the work of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention - work that will truly save lives.
Who puts the event on:  The Overnight is organized by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, the leading national not-for-profit organization exclusively dedicated to understanding and preventing suicide through research, education and advocacy, and to reaching out to people with mental disorders and those impacted by suicide.