The Journal

suicide prevention Virginia Lindahl suicide prevention Virginia Lindahl

Why I Walk in the AFSP Out of the Darkness Overnight Walk

People often ask me why I participate in the AFSP Out of the Darkness Overnight Walk.

Part of the answer is personal. Like many people who participate in the Overnight, I’ve lost someone I love to suicide. But the reason I keep coming back goes beyond my own experience.

Being suicidal is isolating. Losing someone to suicide is isolating. One of the things I find most powerful about the Overnight is that it pushes back against that isolation.

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suicide prevention, depression Virginia Lindahl suicide prevention, depression Virginia Lindahl

What to Do If You Think Someone May Be Struggling With Suicidal Thoughts

It can be scary to worry that someone you care about may be thinking about suicide.

Many people hesitate to say anything because they are afraid of:

  • making things worse

  • saying the wrong thing

  • offending the person

  • “putting the idea in their head”

  • overreacting

  • not knowing what to do next

These fears are very common.

But avoiding the conversation entirely can leave someone feeling even more isolated.

If you are concerned about someone, you don’t need to handle the situation perfectly to make a real difference. Often, the most important step is being willing to notice, ask, and stay connected.

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