A SusanvilleStuff Photofeature
by Jeremy Couso
More than 100 participants gathered at Memorial Park on September 25th, joining with hundreds of thousands of people across the country to raise awareness and funds for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. More than 30 teams took part in the Out of the Darkness community walk, raising funds for the non-profit organization that invests in new research, creates educational programs, advocates for public policy and supports survivors of suicide loss.
According to organizers these community walks, held in hundreds of cities across the country, give people the courage to open up about their own struggle or loss, and provide a platform to change our culture’s approach to mental health.
The event in Memorial Park included a Bead Ceremony with different colored beads that represent how suicide has affected a person’s life.
Speakers shared their personal stories of loss and hope and afterward the participants walked a course up to Weatherlow Street, down Main Street, back across Grand Avenue and to North Street and the park.
Lassen County’s Chief Probation Officer Jennifer Branning was honored by event organizers for all of the effort put into the walk by volunteers from her staff at the Probation Department.
Agencies and organizations like the Salvation Army, Lassen County Foster Youth Services and the Lassen County Sheriff’s office all set up informational booths to help disseminate resources.
