"Hundreds Walk to Raise Suicide Awareness" news article
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HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) – Almost 1,000 people from throughout Central Pennsylvania participated in the annual Harrisburg Out of the Darkness Community Walk.
They’re message is that suicide is 100% preventable.
“We really want everybody to know that there’s help. There’s hope. Hope saves lives. Talk saves lives. And there’s no more dark cloud over suicide. We’re bringing it to the forefront and out of the darkness,” organizer Brandon Marsico said.
The people walking want their loved ones to be remembered for how they lived, not how they died.
“We really wish he would have felt comfortable opening up to us and his friends, teachers, anyone to share what he was going through,” Barbara Wrighter, who lost her son to suicide, said.
Barbara’s son took his life a year ago. She’s here to let others know they aren’t alone. Many walkers supported loved ones and those still struggling today.
“Some days are good. some days are bad. Today is a really emotional time because I’m seeing so many other people who have experienced a loss and I just tried to remember that if I’m strong, I can be strong for someone else and prevent that loss for them,” Lori Mullholland said, whose son also died by suicide.
The money raised supports the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Their goal is to reduce the annual rate of suicide 20% by 2025.
