MACON, Ga. — September is National Suicide Prevention Month, and multiple non-profits have risen up to support suicide prevention causes, including the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. With a Georgia chapter, the foundation has hosted multiple awareness events they call the “Out of the Darkness” community walks, and with a local resident’s input, they are hosting a walk in the Middle Georgia area and making strides in fundraising.
On Sept. 24 at 1 p.m., the foundation will hold its Out of the Darkness walk at Tattnall Square Park at 1155 College Street in Macon.
Candice Harnage, a Perry resident, is fundraising for the walk. In May 2019, Harnage lost her mother to suicide and said they were very close.
A few months later, Harnage discovered the AFSP and attended a walk in August 2019, joining the local chapter to organize their virtual events during the pandemic. She was excited to report that the walk is meeting again in person this year.
Grieving her mother’s sudden passing inspired her to serve her community.
“I don’t want anybody to go through what my mom went through, and I definitely don’t want anybody to go through the pain that we felt losing her to that,” Harnage said.
The event set to talk place on Saturday is an effort to bring the community together, raise awareness and raise money to support suicide prevention causes — and it is a cause they hope to bring more people to for next year. Harnage has goals and dreams to make this walk as big as ones in Atlanta.
“It’s where people come together — whether it’s people that have lost loved ones to suicide or if you’re a survivor yourself — if you attempted it,” Harnage said. “It’s one of those events where you can come together, know that you’re not alone, meet other people and then have a moment of silence.”
Harnage also mentioned that while they have a solid team this year, the walk is still fundraising and looking for volunteers. She also mentioned that the event is free to attend.
The foundation’s reach goes beyond community events. Harnage explained that the AFSP also sends advocacy teams to help pass suicide prevention legislation both on the state and federal level and most notably, the shortening of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline to 9-8-8.
Now the foundation is moving on to help pass legislation that will educate medical personnel and emergency services on handling mental health crises. Locally, the foundation makes an impact on a personal and corporate level, as Harnage explained.
“We also do grief support and educational seminars, where we can come into businesses, churches, schools and basically have the conversation that there is help available and that you’re not alone,” Harnage said.
The events align with the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention’s goal to reduce the annual suicide rate by 20% nationwide, and Harnage explained that mental health and suicide is an issue the can affect anyone.
“Suicide, mental illness, addiction, all these things, they’re not just applicable to one demographic,” Harnage added. “It affects everybody, and this is something where we can all come together. I wish we can prevent suicide 100%, but we can’t, but I, 200%, believe just by being kinder to each other and showing people that they’re not alone, that would make a great impact in and of itself,” Harnage said.
If you are interested in registering or donating to the walk, visit the AFSP’s Georgia website: afsp.org/chapter/georgia#events. From there, scroll to the upcoming events and click on “learn more” under the Macon Walk event.
If you or a family member is having a mental health crisis, dial 9-8-8 to be connected to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
HHJ News
