Why The American Foundation For Suicide Prevention

In three days my daughter, Meg and I will begin a self-supported 24-hour walk. For the past several weeks we have raised funds for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

There are so many great causes out there. I for one am a big advocate for breast cancer because my mother is a survivor. I support the American Diabetes Association because I have several close friends and relatives who struggle daily with diabetes. I support the Children’s Hospital in DC because who doesn’t want to see children receive the care they need. And this fall I will be raising funds for Prostate Cancer because my coach is currently in the fight for his life with this disease.

So, how can I pick just one? Here’s five reasons:

1. Approximately 40,000 Americans lose their lives to suicide each year. In the past year we have lost five people in our community to suicide.
2. Suicide is preventable. With the right treatment and education we can see these numbers decrease.
3. We have all watched in horror as the number of school shootings has increased in the past several years. Almost all of these shootings were executed by people who struggled with a mental illness. Something has to be done. More help needs to be provided to the mentally ill. More support needs to be there for the families of the mentally ill.
4. This is personal. Last year after struggling for months with my own depression I saw two choices – jump from the Bay Bridge or ask for help. I received help. I was one of the lucky ones.
5. And finally, the most important reason I am raising funds and awareness about depression and suicide – my beautiful daughter, the light of my life, the reason I wake up every morning, struggles with depression every day. She fights to see the light that most of us take for granted. I am doing this walk for her. I am doing this walk to show her that there is no length I would not go to in order to support her.

So, how can you help? Meg and I have set a goal of $2500. So far we have raised just over $1250. By making a donation and helping us to meet our goal you can make a difference. Please take a minute and donate or take a couple of minutes and share this with your friends and family on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Reddit, or anywhere else you can think of. Help us to make a difference. Help me to support Megan.