Staff Writer
HOULTON — Prevention is often a matter of the right person with the right knowledge being available in the right place at the right time. That is the motto of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
Submitted photo
CHORUS — Members of the Houlton Chamber Choir show their vocal support during the opening ceremonies of the “Out of the Darkness” walk on Saturday, Sept. 22. From left are: Caleb Richardson, Robbie Stairs, Ben Torres, Tyler Delano, Emily McGary, Emily Gendron, Marina DiMarco, Stephanie Kreyssig.
On Saturday, Sept. 22, more than 75 individuals and groups turned out to show their support for those who have been affected by suicide during the foundation’s annual “Out of the Darkness” Community Walk.
“It was unbelievable,” remarked Rhoda Freeman, area director American Foundation for Suicide Prevention in Maine and New Hampshire. “It shows how many people are affected by the loss of a loved one by suicide in a small community.”
The walk is geared toward raising awareness about suicide prevention and recognizing who could be at risk. Statistically, every 18 minutes someone in the United States dies by their own hand. Every 19 minutes, someone is left behind to make sense of it. Those taking part in the walk showed how they were affected by displaying the name of their loved one on their shirts as they completed the downtown event. Sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, parents and teammates were remembered as participants gathered in the Temple Theater parking lot. People from all over Aroostook County showed up for the walk.
“We are pulling in from communities outside of Houlton,” explained Freeman. “These people want to channel their grief by doing something constructive. They want to make others aware that this can happen to any family.”
Those attending the walk also raised funds for the cause. Approximately $9,000 was raised and funds continue to come in from day to day. Highlights of the event included a performance from the Houlton Chamber Chorus, the team from Fort Fairfield High who lost a teammate recently to suicide and a group of phlebotomists from the Houlton Regional Hospital. Freeman said most everyone who came out had been touched by suicide.
National Survivor’s Day is usually held the Saturday before Thanksgiving. On Saturday, Nov. 17, a survivor’s walk will be held in Houlton. The place and time will be announced at a later date.
For more information call 1-888-333-AFSP (2377) or visit their Web site at www.afsp.org.
Submitted photos
SUPPORT — Members of the Fort Fairfield soccer team traveled to Houlton on Saturday to take part in their “Out of the Darkness” walk to bring awareness to suicide prevention.
