Walking Together for Suicide Prevention

Each year, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) organizes walks on campuses, in parks, and throughout communities across the country. These events bring people together to raise awareness about the mental health crisis, share resources for those in need, and create a space of comfort and connection for families and friends who have lost someone to suicide.

For me, these walks are more than community events.....they are personal. They give me the chance to honor Kathy’s memory while standing alongside others who have faced similar loss. There’s a powerful sense of healing that comes from walking with people who understand the weight of grief and the hope for a future where fewer families experience it.

Each step we take is also about breaking the silence and stigma surrounding mental illness. By showing up, sharing our stories, and supporting one another, we create a culture where it’s okay to ask for help and where conversations about mental health are met with compassion instead of judgment.

If you would like to take part, you can visit the AFSP website to find a walk near you. And if you have already signed up, I would love to know who you are walking for? In just a couple of weeks, I will be walking for my Kathy, carrying her memory with me every step of the way.

If you or someone you know is struggling, please don’t wait, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Support is free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.