Vermont Business Magazine “Talk away the dark” is the message of this year’s Out of the Darkness Walk. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) emphasizes that talking is the first step to preventing suicide.
“Making it known that prevention resources are quickly and easily available is why events like the Out of Darkness Community Walks are so important in getting the message out there,” said Eleanor Grabach, LICSW, Clinical Supervisor Community Health Behavioral Health.
“Our team will be meeting at Main Street Park in Rutland on Saturday, September 9th between 9 and 10 am for our community Walk Out of the Darkness,” she said. “Come out and join the Community Health team.”
The goal of the annual community walk is to heighten suicide prevention awareness and emphasize that it’s a journey of remembrance, hope and support that can unite the community.
“Regardless of their age, any time that a person makes a comment about suicide, even if they are not voicing a plan for how they may end their life, we want that person to reach out for help,” she said. “We also encourage those that are involved in their life not to ignore these comments and assist in getting them connected to their primary care provider or mental health professional for an assessment.”
The autumn walks, sponsored by AFSP, take place in cities around the country, sending a strong message that suicide is preventable and that no one is alone.
“Our state saw recent increases in suicide numbers during the course of the pandemic, ranking Vermont 18th in the US," Grabach said. "Any attention and efforts we can make to bring suicide awareness into our communities, we increase the possibility of reducing the rate of completed suicides and attempts at suicide.”
Learn more about suicide awareness and prevention, the warning signs and risk factors and ask your Community Health primary care provider about our Behavioral Health services and community resources.
Join our Community Health team or create your own team. Be sure to register and mark the date on your calendar - Saturday, September 9th, 10am at Main St. Park in Rutland.
Register today for the Rutland walk and be part of the movement uniting us as we are #TogetherToFightSuicide #TalkAwayTheDark.
If you are in crisis, call the Suicide and Crisis Help Line at 988 or contact the Crisis text line by texting 741-741. Find other suicide prevention resources on the AFSP website.
Community Health is Vermont’s largest FQHC (Federally Qualified Health Center), a network of primary care, pediatric, behavioral health, dental and pharmacy services with offices in Rutland, Brandon, Castleton, West Pawlet and Shoreham. Community Dental offices are located in Rutland and Shoreham; Community Health Pediatrics is in Rutland; and Behavioral Health services are available at all of our locations. Community Health Express Care centers, open 7 days a week, are located at the Rutland and Castleton Community Health Centers.
Learn more about Community Health at http://www.chcrr.org or call 802-779-9169.
The mission of Community Health is to be the foremost integrated community health center providing quality and collaborative care that is accessible to all people, in order to live their best lives and build stronger communities.
Source: Rutland – Community Health
