1 of 6

Screenshot

Hundreds of Suffolk residents gathered at Bennett’s Creek Park on Saturday, Oct. 19 for the 8th Annual Suffolk Out of the Darkness Walk to raise awareness for suicide prevention and support the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention (AFSP).

A bright, yet emotional autumn morning, many residents came out to remember loved ones lost and fight back against the mental health stigma. Along with the presentation of colors by Lakeland High School JROTC, a performance of the National Anthem by Kings Fork High School Chorus, and a musical selection by Smithfield High School. The event’s Honor Bead Ceremony saw individuals wear various color of beads to silently represent the pain – and connection – they each share. Sheriff David Miles gave remarks during the opening ceremony.

“I want to also thank the Lord for a beautiful day as we come out here today to shed light on the darkness. Because the darkness is the absence of light, and the sad thing about darkness is it makes you feel alone,” Miles said. “So it excites me today, as the Lord has given us this beautiful, sunny day [is] that we are shining the light on those who may have walked through that darkness to know that you are not alone, that there are those who love you, and there are those who are there in your support.”

On what brought her out to the walk, Amber Sloane, alongside her husband, two sons and three dogs, says she was effected by loved ones dying by suicide.

“Most recently was my friend Rachel and August,” Sloane said.

Senior Aerospace Instructor Sacha Fountain with Lakeland High School’s Air Force JROTC Unit also attended the walk with a few of her cadets. While walking, she discussed taking part in the event.

“It is inspiring for the young cadets to come and see a community together and know that they’re loved, and suicide is a huge issue in our community that’s overlooked,” Fountain said. “So bringing the cadets here, a lot of them never knew this event existed and they’re happy. And they want to give back to their community by doing the National Anthem and they just love being a part of the walk.”

Walking with Sentara Obici team members, Sentara Obici Chief Nursing Officer Stephanie Jackson talked about supporting both Suffolk Out of the Darkness as well as nonprofit Shine Through. Jackson talked about the nonprofit, started by one of her nurses after her 10-year-old son died by suicide.

“And so, she started the nonprofit in his honor. His name is AJ and the slogan for the nonprofit is ‘Smile like AJ,’” Jackson said. “She’s also written a book to help grieving mothers through suicide, and so that’s who we’re honoring today. AJ.”

Stephanie and Reginald Allen both shared their own experiences during the walk. Stephanie discussed why she came out to the event.

“I came out today because of me being in a situation where I wanted to commit suicide, but I also came out today to walk for people who have actually commited suicide,” Stephanie Allen said. “So I just want to give back all that I can, because someone helped to save my life.”

Her husband Reginald Allen shared he wanted to support others who have been impacted by suicide. He shared that after three tours in Iraq and returning home, he had difficulties being able to integrate into everyday life.

“One day I just felt like I wanted to take a knife and stick it through my throat,” Reginald Allen said. “But, me talking to my wife, it helped me to understand that there’s people out there that’s going through the same pain that we’re going through and [I] talked to a counselor to help me out.”

As a married couple, both Reginald and Stephanie shared how they support each other during the dark times.

“If I get down,” Reginald said. “She’ll come and talk to me, you know, ask me what’s going on and try to get it out of me to talk about it. And that’s how she supports me, 100 percent.”

Stephanie says it’s the same for her.

“We kind of bounce off of each other,” she said. “We have a service dog and she can tell that something’s wrong with him. So if I don’t pick it up, she’ll alert him and then we got to do a lot of talking…”

After the walk, Suffolk Out of the Darkness Walk Co-Chair Jenny Swinson, Comedian/Motivational Speaker and Laugh Therapist Vernard T. Hines, and FM 99 News Director and Co-Host of Rumble in the Morning Sean Hood each had a chance to talk about the walk. They were inspired to support. Hines reflected on getting a call from Swinson.

“I thought it was the ‘Jenny’ that was chasing Forrest Gump,” Hines humorously said. “But being a mental health advocate and being a 20-year-retired Army veteran, battling with PTSD [Post Traumatic Stress Disorder] and suicide awareness, this was something that really touched my heart.”

Hood says that his own family and friends have been touched by the “epidemic.”

“One is too many, but I’ve lost several people to this and so, it was something that’s been a big deal for me to be a part of,” Hood said. “I’ve struggled myself with it and I want to make sure that other people understand that there are other avenues to go through to get help, that you are not alone, and that everyday you are still here, we are glad you’re still here.”

Swinson expressed how important it is to have men like Hines and Hood to support the cause.

“This has been changing for our walk, to have figures like them step up and step out and lead the cause for our community so that others can be brave like them,” Swinson said.

Stephanie Allen gave a message for those suffering from the darkness  and can’t see anything.

“I want them to know that they don’t have to stay there,” she said. “It doesn’t seem like there is a tomorrow, but there’s always a tomorrow if you don’t do that. If you don’t go through with it, there’s tomorrow.”

Likewise, Sloane wants readers to know that it does get better.

“And I wish people could see their own light inside,” Sloane said emotionally.

If you are in crisis, please call, text, or chat with the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988, or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741. To make a donation or to get involved, go to afsp.org/suffolk. For resources, go to afsp.org/suicide-prevention-resources.

More News

STAR Haven brings Coats and Cookies to Suffolk Library

King’s Fork crowns king and queen

Nearly 10K Suffolk voters have already taken to the polls

Police investigate domestic shooting