The Lamb family lost their son Tristan to suicide three years ago.Just five months later they were asked to attend a suicide prevention walk. The family agreed, hesitantly."We took a deep breath and …
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The Lamb family lost their son Tristan to suicide three years ago.
Just five months later they were asked to attend a suicide prevention walk. The family agreed, hesitantly.
"We took a deep breath and a leap of faith and went," said Julie Lamb, of Daphne. "We have gone every year since. The walk is such a positive and beautiful experience to feel the love and support of others and to know that we aren't alone."
September is National Suicide Prevention Month. The month-long campaign is meant to help draw attention to the 10th leading cause of death in the United States – suicide.
This year, families and community members can come together to support the fight for suicide prevention at the 12th-annual South Alabama Out of Darkness Community Walk on Oct. 23 in Daphne.
The walk helps fund the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's education and support programs. The organization's goal is to reduce the annual U.S. rate of suicide 20% by the year 2025.
Each year the 2-mile walk around Olde Towne Daphne is designed to draw families together to support each other and remember their loved ones. The walk ends with a butterfly release and walkers can place pictures and mementos of their loved ones on a Memory Wall.
"Every single detail of the walk is thought out and planned and is a true tribute to hope and healing," Lamb said. "We want our son's legacy to be remembered, and we want people out there to know they aren't alone in this.
"The more we discuss this topic, and the more fundraising is being spent for research, education and advocacy, the more people will have hope and a purpose," she said.
Lydia Barber is the organizer of the South Alabama Out of Darkness Walk and an AFSP board member. Barber lost her son, Allen, to suicide at age 19 in 2010.
"Suicide touches one in five American families. We hope that by walking we will draw attention to this issue and keep other families from experiencing a suicide loss. Our ultimate goal is to save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide. It is a healing and hopeful place," she said.
