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Weekend Walk to Raise Suicide Prevention Awareness
Knox County and other residents have the chance this weekend to make sure those whose lives have been affected by a suicide know that there's plenty of support.

That's the point of the local "Out of the Darkness" walk put on by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. It's Saturday at Lake Storey, with registration starting at noon at Shelter number one.

While organizers Tina Benedict and Chastity Smith have taken part in other walks around the state, Smith tells WGIL they didn't know what to expect at the first walk last year.

"We has a man here who's done several walks since 2005 with AFSP and his name was Zane, dear man. He said to us after the walk, he came up and gave us a hug and he said 'never in any walk have I been to have I seen such community, everyone walks and leaves.' We were out there till 5 o'clock last year. People stayed and they and they visited and they shared stories and consoled one another and remembered their loved ones it was amazing it really was."

Smith says it's important for there to be such a support network for families suffering the loss of loved ones due to suicide. They say it's important to have people there to tell you it's okay, and to be able to meet others suffering.

All funds raised last year went to educational programs for students who may be dealing with, or thinking about, suicide.
09 26 12 by Newsroom
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