Out of The Darkness community walk for suicide awareness and prevention

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (KTVF) - The Fairbanks Out of The Darkness Walk took place Saturday, June 3, at Griffin Park near downtown Fairbanks.

This year’s theme “Being the one to save one” is meant to bring awareness of suicide and the suicide rates in our community.

Put together by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and other local organizations, the walk brought together many community members affected by suicide and others to stand in solidarity with those who have lost.

To kick off the event, participants had the opportunity to choose from various colored beads, each representing a population lost to suicide. Members of the local organization, American Legion, stood among the crowd and presented what each color stood for.

Purple beads symbolized the loss of a friend or relative.

White beads symbolized the loss of a child.

Red beads symbolized the loss of a spouse or partner.

Gold beads symbolized the loss of a parent or guardian.

Orange beads symbolized the loss of a sibling.

Silver beads symbolized the loss of first responders or military servicemen.

Green beads symbolized the experience of a personal struggle or attempt.

Blue beads symbolizing the support of suicide prevention.

And teal beads to symbolize someone close to you who has mental health struggles or has attempted suicide.

After the presentation of beads, a group stretch was held and then participants laced up their walking shoes and hit the trail.

Donations were also accepted at the event and over $30,000 was raised. All donations go to furthering research, prevention and education, advocacy and public policy, and additional support.

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