Out of the Darkness

Thank you to one of my friends who brought my attention to this: AFSP's Overnight Walk.

With it being only 2 months away, I can't go to NYC to participate this year, but I'm really interested in walking in my local one in the fall. Plus, I can start training and planning for next year! I'm so glad that there are people out there that have made it a priority to bring suicide and depression into the light.

Here are some facts from their site:

• Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death among teens and young adults
• Every 16 minutes someone dies by suicide in the US.
• Depression is the leading cause of suicide.
• Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death among teens and young adults.

I am not walking in the event that is currently featured on their home page, but if you are interested in making any donations to the cause - Proceeds from the Out of the Darkness Overnight will help distribute AFSP’s new educational film on teen depression titled More Than Sad: Teen Depression. Learn more and make a donation at www.theovernight.org

Why Participate In Life?

For years I have been living day to day, trying to go through the motions. Every morning I would battle with myself, one part of  me knowing that I should get up and go to work, and one part of me wanting to drift back into unconsciousness where I would feel nothing. Some days the logical part of my brain would triumph, but at least one day a week I would call out sick and stay in bed for hours.

Naturally, my repeated absences had consequences at work. I was demoted from a managerial position and my hours were reduced. At first I was happier, having a lighter work load and more time for myself, but soon after the novelty wore off, I was back to the same routine. When the alarm went off, I would hit snooze over and over until I either decided to call in sick or jump in the shower and hurry out the door before I was late.