out of the darkness

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The 2017 Overnight Walk for Suicide Prevention

Posted by Hope Rising on February 3, 2017
Posted in: Mental Health, The Overnight. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

This year I will be traveling to San Diego, California to participate in my 5th Overnight Walk for Suicide Prevention.

The Overnight Walk is a 16-18 mile walk that takes place each year beginning at sunset and going through the night until the sunrise. This is meant to symbolize bringing the issues of suicide and mental health conditions Out of the Darkness and into the light of day. This event aims to break down the stigma that is so often entangled with these subjects.

The Overnight Walk creates a safe space for those who have lost someone they love to suicide to grieve together and celebrate the memory of their loved ones. And for other participants, like myself, who struggle with mental health conditions, it is a safe place to not only share our stories of hope, but to find warmth, love and compassion in the arms of others who understand. It a safe place to create a conversation that will go far beyond ourselves, and save lives by breaking the silence.

Many of us have struggled in the darkness for so long, because we have been told that suicide, addiction, and mental health conditions are not be spoken about. And we have had to carry the burden alone for a long time. But it is through the Overnight Walk that we allow ourselves the freedom to raise our voice, to crack through the silence of the night, and call attention to the bigger picture.

Talking about suicide, saves lives. By breaking walls of the things that we are not “supposed to talk about”, we allow those who are in the deepest pain to reach out to us when it is most needed. And we allow ourselves to step into those dark situations and offer hope, even when others may not feel it. WE are a safe haven, and we want to extend that compassion and hope to the communities and individuals we encounter on a daily basis. Whether it is our closest friend, or a stranger on the commute to work, we aim to be the connection that keep someone from the brink of life and death.

As I continue to prepare for this year’s event, I will continue to share my connection to the cause. I ask that you watch the video down below to understand just how impacting this event is to those of who participate in it.

If you would like to donate this event and support me in my own journey of overcoming the darkness please click here: 2017 Overnight Walk Fundraising Page 

Thank You for Supporting Me.

Posted by Hope Rising on June 2, 2016
Posted in: Fundraising, Mental Health, The Overnight. Tagged: , , , . Leave a comment

With just two days left until I take to the streets once again for Suicide Prevention, and I am blown away by the donations that continue to pour in. I have said it before but it needs to be said again, not only are you supporting an organization near and dear to my heart, you are supporting me.

Not only are you believing that I will push my body to conquer these 18 miles, you are believing that I will conquer the battles of my mind.

You are giving me the strength to choose recovery each and every day, even when it is difficult.

You are helping me to believe that the better days are still ahead like the sunrise that follows the darkness of the night.

You are helping me to continue to believe that there is power in my story, not only as catharsis for myself, but also to help others to be brave with their own stories and seek recovery as well.

You are helping me to believe that a future in the field of Mental Health counseling is not only possible, but it is what I have been called to do, and prepared for by own life’s circumstances.

You are helping to create initiatives and programs that will reach people when they are at their lowest and darkest and feel most alone. I have been in that place and by reaching out to others we can help save lives before it is too late.

and most of all you are supporting a community of people who have helped change my life in so many ways, and continue to do so.

So I thank you, for always believing in me. My heart is so full as I prepare once again to take this physical journey, and I know that you have all been behind me every step of the way through my own journey of recovery

I’ll be with you through the dark..

Posted by Hope Rising on April 12, 2016
Posted in: Fundraising, Mental Health, The Overnight. Tagged: , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

And I’ll be with you through
The dark so that you do not,
Go through the dark alone.
   ~Biloxi Parish- The Gaslight Anthem

Depression, for me, has been like a darkness where all hope seems lost, and I can’t find my way left or right of it. In the beginning it was so difficult, because I didn’t let anyone in, and I carried the burden alone. I didn’t want to inconvenience anyone. But, I know now that I was just doing more damage to myself. When I finally allowed people in, it wasn’t a magical cure. The darkness didn’t just float away and all was right with the world immediately. It took time, it was a long journey, and in many ways it is a journey I am still on.

But those people I let in, they became my guides. They took my hand and led me to the resources that I needed. They led me to safe places where I could share my truth. And each time I wanted to give up, they held my hand tighter to remind me that I was never alone. And on the really hard days, they carried me step by step until I found the strength to try again.

And as we continued, to move forward..together.. The light began seeping in.

And that is why the Overnight Walk is so important to me.

Each year as I take this symbolic journey of 16 miles through the night,
I am reminded how my community rallied together to get me out of the darkness and into the light.

And as I walk alongside others, I know that each person is at a different point of their journey,
But I want to do for others what other so selflessly did for me.
For more than just this night, I want to walk with you.
I want to take your hand and guide you to where you need to be.

I want you to be able to witness the glorious sunrise at the end of the journey and realize just how far you have come. I want you to know that you are never alone, I will be right here through it all.

Take my hand. Together we can get through this.

 

Click here to support me on the Out of The Darkness Overnight Walk

Fan the Flames.

Posted by Hope Rising on April 2, 2016
Posted in: Fundraising, The Overnight. Tagged: , , . Leave a comment

Each year as I prepare to do the Out of the Darkness Overnight Walk, I am blown away by the outpouring of support I receive. So far I am more than halfway to my goal and there are only two months until the walk. But, it isn’t just financial backing that means so much to me. Each and every person who I have shared my story with, and has still welcomed me with open arms, I thank you. For the friends who are there in the latest hours of the night, in the darkest times of my life, I thank you. For those who constantly reach out to me, to tell me how proud they are of me, and how they believe in me, I thank you.

Because it is so much more than just this journey of 18 miles. This is my life story. This is my passion. And every single person who sows into me, is fanning the flame within me. With my amazing support system behind me… I know I can do this. I know I can walk through the night, even if I have to fight my body to do so. I know that I can stand up and continue to be brave with my story. I know that I can continue to push forward and reach for my dreams. I know that I can continue to celebrate important milestones of recovery, and they are as important to me as they are to those who love me.

When the dark days come, and pain tries to destroy me… all I have to do is look around and know that I am never alone. I am blessed to be surrounded by the people that I love, and who love me without condition.

So thank you for being a part of this journey.
Not only for the Overnight.

The Journey of life.

I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for all of you.
image

Tribe of Warriors

Posted by Hope Rising on February 24, 2016
Posted in: Fundraising, Mental Health. Tagged: , , . Leave a comment

The Overnight Walk for Suicide Prevention is something I have been participating in  over the last 5 years. And it has impacted my life in so many ways. But something I have just been reflecting on lately, are the friendships that have been fostered because of these events. If I had never chosen to participate in my first walk 5 years ago, I would have never met any of these people. People I am BLESSED to call my friends.

They say that tragedy bonds people together, and while that may be true, I believe that more than anything… HOPE is what creates these amazing bonds. I am so amazingly overwhelmed by the strength and the love that these people pour out each and everyday, as a result of what they have been through. Each and every one of our stories is different. Some have struggled, some have lost, some live each day supporting and loving on someone who struggles with mental health issues. But together, we have taken that pain, and put it into power in order to help others. To create a brighter future and a safer place for those who are in the deepest pain.

The people I have met on these walks have inspired me. They have invited me into their lives, and into their stories, and have become a part of my own. Together we wage war, on stigma, on shame, and against the negativity that tries to keep us silent. We band together with a battle cry to our government to recognize that these issues need to be addressed, for we are losing far too many of our people. We crawl into the trenches to rescue those who have been hurt by the words of the world, to bandage up their wounds, and let them know … they have not been left behind. They are not forgotten, and we aim to save every single life that teeters between life and death.

We are a people who have known the depths of great pain. We have seen the ravages of addiction. We have survived our greatest losses. We walk a daily battle against our own minds. But we are strong. We are determined. We are warriors.

And this year once again I band together with my tribe of warriors to walk through the night, and bring suicide and mental illness out of the darkness and into the light.

 

THE OVERNIGHT 2015

Posted by Hope Rising on April 26, 2015
Posted in: Mental Health. Tagged: , , , . Leave a comment

TODAY IS THE DAY.

TONIGHT MORE THAN A THOUSAND PEOPLE WILL WALK THE STREETS OF DALLAS TO BRING SUICIDE AND MENTAL ILLNESS OUT OF THE DARKNESS AND INTO THE LIGHT.

 

This is my Third Overnight and each year I am so moved by the people and the event as a whole.
What I love about this event is that it gives me an outlet to talk about the things, “we arent supposed to be talking about”. From my cab driver to people I have met in the hotel, each time I am asked what brings me to Dallas, it is an opportunity to share about this cause that is so close to my heart. And with that opportunity, it gives people an invitation to others to share their stories. So many times this week, I have come across people who have experienced a suicide in their lives in one way or another, and it just shows how important the work of the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention is.
To break down those stigmas so that people who are hurting can feel free to speak to someone, whether it is family, friends or a complete stranger.
To give hope to those who have lost a loved one, that they are not alone and so many people want to help them.
To give support and strength to those who are struggling. To be a judgment free zone of unconditional support and love no matter what they are facing. Because we believe it can get better.
For me each year this is such a healing experience. No matter what the days, weeks, and months leading up to the event have looked like….it all goes away. All of a sudden I feel the electicity in the air, and a lift in my spirit.
and I believe it is the HOPE that all these amazing people carry in their stories. From across the country to across the world I am impacted by so many people.
and my HOPE is to be able to impact others with what I have found here with AFSP.
These 18 miles before me, are not a challenge… it is a journey of recovery and healing that I am excited to take.
I cannot wait for it to begin.
THE OVERNIGHT 2015

I walk for Hope.Life.Love.

Posted by Hope Rising on March 11, 2011
Posted in: Fundraising. Tagged: , , , . Leave a comment

 

This year I have decided to take a bold step, not only for myself but for all the people that are affected by depression, self injury, bipolar disorder and a myriad of other mental illnesses that can create the path toward suicide.I am walking in the AFSP Out of the Darkness Overnight Even though I have personally struggled with depression self injury and suicidal thoughts in the past, that is not my greatest motivation. My passion and my drive for taking a stand and making a difference is fueled by my personal story, but my strength comes from the belief that we can make a difference in this world by breaking the stigmas that are attached to these mental health issues.

It starts small. But little by little we can make a difference. I am choosing to do this walk not only because of the money it will help raise, but because it also gives me a platform to talk about the things “we aren’t supposed to be talking about” For so many years I had to hide who I was and how I was hurting because society, mainly my family, had taught me that this was a weakness not a sickness. One of the first responses my family had to my struggle was to tell me that they thought “I was stronger than that” And that was the downfall. I felt I was failing not only as a daughter, sister and friend, but as a person because I wasn’t strong enough to deal with my issues and just walk away like everyone else did. But with the help of mentors, adults and friends who really understood my struggles I was able to break that stigma for myself. I no longer viewed my cutting or depression as a weakness… I finally saw it for what it was, an addiction and a sickness. And that opened up many opportunities for me to get help. I was no longer ashamed of my faults, but I understood that I needed outside help to address them and deal with them.Had I allowed my life to be ruled by the stigmas of depression, cutting and even therapy…I don’t even think I would be here today.

That is why I believe in second chances and paying it forward. I know that I have been given a second chance at life, and I just can’t let it pass me by. I have no shame about my past and my struggles because I know that they are the reason I am the person I am today. I don’t try to hide my past because I know that there is someone out there who can benefit from hearing my story. And so I have taken this second chance and have decided to help others.

I have enrolled to go through a mentally vigorous training to become an Online Suicide Intervention Specialist. I am more than half way done with the training which means I am much closer to being able to help people firsthand.

And by walking in The Out Of the Darkness Overnight I have opened up the opportunity to talk to my friends and family about this cause and why it is important to me. I want to let others know that they are not alone in their fight and that there are people out there who care and want to help. I want to tell those who are hurting that it is ok to ask for help, it is not a sign of weakness but a sign of strength to want to get help.

It’s time to tear down the walls, the help break the stigmas of society and create conversations where people in need can feel safe to ask for help. It is time for us to take a stand and be a voice in the darkness for those that are broken. Let us join together to show them that we care.

If you have ever been personally affected by suicidal thoughts, or have lost someone to suicide, or you just have a burden on your heart to help…would you consider donating to this cause?

No one should be alone in their struggle, together we can raise awareness and raise funds to help provide treatments, counseling, support systems and above all.. HOPE and LOVE to those who need it most.

Overnight Donation Page