Out of Darkness Walk well attended in Springfield

This past Saturday, Sept. 22, between 80 and 100 walkers, many walking alone or with teams in memory of a specific person, turned out on a beautiful first day of fall to participate in the fourth annual Out of Darkness Walk against suicide on the Toonerville Trail in Springfield.

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Out of Darkness Walk well attended in Springfield By Bill Lockwood, The Shopper September 25, 2018 Walkers participating in the Out of Darkness Walk against suicide on the Toonerville Trail in Springfield. Photo by Bill Lockwood. SPRINGFIELD, Vt. – This past Saturday, Sept. 22, between 80 and 100 walkers, many walking alone or with teams in memory of a specific person, turned out on a beautiful first day of fall to participate in the fourth annual Out of Darkness Walk against suicide on the Toonerville Trail in Springfield. Heather Jarvis, who chairs the local chapter of the Vermont organization of the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention, says suicide is the third largest cause of death in Vermont and the 24 to 35 age group is the highest risk. M.J. Trask organized a group to walk in memory of her son Earl Grennan who committed suicide at age 22 around Memorial Day this year. Connie Kincaid-Brown was walking for her son, Duncan Littlefield, who was also 22 when he committed suicide in August of 2016. Kincaid-Brown said, “It’s an epidemic size crisis right now. It’s great to see people caring.” Jarvis said, “We had an amazing turn out.” She says this year was the walk’s highest since the inaugural walk four years ago, which attracted about 150 walkers. Jarvis said, “A lot of people get upset easily at the idea of suicide. That’s why we have events like this to let them know they’re not alone.” Kincaid-Brown echoed that. She is part of an area support group that meets monthly at Valley Regional Hospital in Claremont. She says, “It’s important for people to see that they are not alone.” darkness Heather Jarvis, local chairperson for the out of Darkness Walk against suicide in Springfield. Photo by Bill Lockwood The walk supports the national and state organization’s fundraising efforts for new research, creation of educational programs, avocation for public policy, and support of survivors of suicide loss. The Springfield group does the walk as its one big event every year. For the rest of the year, they work on their other efforts. Jarvis says this year they are giving priority to increasing community outreach, especially to schools. “We want to get our foot in the door with them and get them resources… educate them that if someone comes to them, they know where to go and what to do.” At the sign in table, information on numerous resources, especially support groups and resources for survivors, was available as it is also available through the local Out of Darkness Springfield, Vermont Facebook page or on www.afsp.org. After walking the trail for the group’s collective cause Kincaid-Brown added a positive note. She said, “There’s a lot of joy in life, you gotta find it.”