Every 40 seconds, suicide claims the life of someone in the world. Though there is no single cause that can be attributed to suicide, untreated mental health conditions play a role in roughly 90% of cases. For many, the darkness that results can feel overwhelming, and emerging from the shadows is a difficult feat that often requires help from friends and loved ones. Recognizing the need to raise awareness about suicide as well as provide hope for survivors, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) started the Out of Darkness Walks, giving communities the chance to come together for hope and healing. On November 2, the Out of the Darkness Walk came to Washington, D.C., and the Exterior Medics team was honored to serve as both sponsors and participants.
A Cause Close to Our Hearts
Like many others, the team at Exterior Medics has been impacted by suicide in various ways. Though it is the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S., suicide is often misunderstood, and prevention efforts are largely underfunded.
As survivors and concerned community members, we seek to change this lack of awareness by partnering with groups such as the AFSP. The Out of the Darkness Walk aids in suicide prevention by raising money for new research, educational programs, public policy advocacy, and survivor support. As a Washington, D.C. Silver Lifesaver sponsor, we helped provide the funds necessary for hosting the Out of Darkness Walk, paving the way for life-saving contributions from donors and participants.
Coming Together for Peace
The day of the walk dawned clear and bright. Though there were several events taking place in the D.C. area that day, including the Nationals’ World Series victory parade, the city came together to support the AFSP and this deeply important cause. Many Exterior Medics team members showed up to participate in the walk, including our sales manager Josh Bond along with his fiancé; senior salesman Steve Harper and his wife; marketing manager Cross Jimenez; and one of our property management assistants, Courtney Blackmon.
As people began arriving for the walk, a feeling of bittersweet hope hung in the air. Stories and conversations revealed shared grief, which helped people understand that they were not alone. Beaded necklaces were worn by nearly everyone in the crowd, with each color representing how suicide had affected the wearer’s life, demonstrating the enormous impact suicide has in the world.
The walk led the team through the heart of D.C., starting at the Lincoln Memorial and looping around the Tidal Basin. Being surrounded by such immense history provided a backdrop for reflection on both the beauty and tragedy of life. While Josh Bond and his fiancé and Steve Harper and his wife walked with the crowd, Courtney Blackmon and Cross Jimenez were put to use as volunteers in the medical booth. While both were ready to help with anything that happened, they were grateful that there were no emergencies while they were there.
In the end, the event raised over $342,000 from 2,252 participants on 237 teams—an astounding result that will help countless individuals, furthering the AFSP’s goal to reduce the annual suicide rate 20% by 2025. With continued awareness events supported by the community, we hope to help bring more light into the world.
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