If you’ve lost someone to suicide, or you or someone you know suffers from a mental health condition like depression or anxiety, please join us for the walk on Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016, at Old Mill Park. Registration is free at Greater Fredericksburg Walk
Here is why I’m walking. Since 2004 I have battled anxiety and depression. There have been tons of good days, but there have been periods of very hard times and sometimes months of staying in bed because I wasn’t able to cope.
I still remember the day I called my husband because I was done and wanted to die. It was the only way to make the pain go away. I saw no other way. I felt like I had been swallowed whole by the anxiety and I would never be happy again. I got the help I needed and got to a place of mental strength and inner peace.
Then the fall of 2015 turned my family upside down. My son Tristan is ADHD and has anxiety. We had problems at school and at home. After an incident of him trying to hurt himself at school, I drove him to the ER where he was later admitted to Dominion Hospital and treated for anxiety and depression. He was there for a total of three weeks last fall during two separate visits.
So I will walk for myself, my son and anyone else. I hope that by raising awareness and sharing my story, no one will be embarrassed by theirs. Tristan and I are still here, and we hope to help be the voice to help end suicide. Mental health is treatable and suicide is preventable!
Thank you,
Laura Ellis
Co-Chair, Greater Fredericksburg Out of the Darkness Walk
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP)
Greater Fredericksburg Out of the Darkness Walk for Suicide Prevention
Sunday, Sept. 25, 12 – 1 p.m.
Old Mill Park, 2410 Caroline St., Fredericksburg
Online registration closes at noon (local time) the Friday before the walk. However, anyone who would like to participate can register in person at the walk from the time check-in begins until the walk starts. Walk donations are accepted until December 31, 2016.
http://afsp.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.event&eventID=4260
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