May 23, 2025 • 23 mins
Scott Stevens speaks to Cassie Hairston and Brandi Jones about the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Lynchburg, efforts to raise awareness, support mental health and raise funds in the upcoming Out of the Darkness Walk, Lynchburg.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:12):
For iHeartRadio Rona Clenchberg. This is Scott Stevens and this
is around town where we talk about community issues and
community activities and great things that are going on in
the community to help others. And if you've listened to
me before, you know that a cause that is near
and dear to my heart is suicide prevention. I've been
(00:35):
fortunate to be involved with the American Foundation for Suicide
Prevention for many years. I'm a former board member, and
I still try to work with them as best I can,
especially when we start talking about the Out of the
Darkness walks that will be coming up this fall. And
I've got a couple of guests with me right now
from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Lynchburg Group. We've
(00:58):
got Cassie Harriston and Jones. Hi, guys, good to see you.
How are you good, How are you doing well? Doing well?
Thank you for joining me and Cassie. Good to connect
with you as well. Hey, Scott, So, of course we
want to talk about the upcoming walk, the Lynchberg Out
(01:18):
of the Darkness Walk, which is the event that kind
of got me connected to you guys many many years ago,
is coming up October fourth, at Peaksview Park in Lynchburg.
I'd like to share the story every time I talk
about it. I found out about it. We of course
do these kind of programs recordings and public service announcements,
(01:38):
and Danne came to see me at the radio station
along with Joan and said, hey, we want to talk
to you about our Out of the Darkness Walk. So,
you know, we did our usual little radio thing and
talked about it, and then of course Dan would not
leave me alone until I actually would come to the walk.
And then once I got down there and got to
(01:59):
know you guys, I was hooked because the cause is
very important and just everybody there's so much love with
those events. That's the first thing I noticed. I went
there expecting to be sad, but I didn't. I went
there and I felt a whole lot of love. You think, Brandy,
that's a great way to describe it.
Speaker 2 (02:17):
I do.
Speaker 3 (02:18):
I always tell people that we meet in the community.
While it's an intense topic and there are a lot
of feelings and emotions with the day, it's always uplifting.
Speaker 2 (02:28):
I always leave the.
Speaker 3 (02:29):
Event feeling very connected to the people that were around me.
You know, it's not a group you want to be
a part of. You don't want to lose someone you
don't you know, our goal is to get to the
point where people don't struggle and we don't lose anyone.
But having people come together, it helps remind you you're
(02:50):
not alone in your grief, your process, any of that.
So I always my heart is very full at the
end of every walk.
Speaker 1 (02:59):
Yes, no doubt. And I never thought I never thought that.
I guess before I met you guys and started getting involved,
I always thought that suicide was something that was supposed
to be hidden, boxed up, you know, held inside. So
you know, when I dealt with suicide ideations myself or
I had family members that struggled, I thought the idea
(03:24):
was to keep it very private, very quiet, and just
within our family. And I think I learned right away
with you guys that it was so important to talk
about it and talk through it, and that talk really
does save lives.
Speaker 3 (03:38):
It really does. And I always say, you know, there's
a stigma, it's a taboo. It hasn't been talked about.
I remember my first first experiencing a loss in high school,
and it was just shock waves, and it happened my
sophomore year, and then we didn't talk about it again.
We were ribbon when we graduated in memory, and that
(04:00):
was kind of it. And through the years, I've heard
of a lot of losses locally, but again not more
beyond the loss itself. So personally. When I lost my
brother in September twenty nineteen, I don't know why this
was kind of my way of thinking. I immediately told
my parents, you know, if this is not disrespectful to you,
(04:21):
like I'm going to be very honest, I need to
address this on social media because it's overwhelming when you're
getting all these things. But I didn't want to hide it.
I wanted to talk about it because my mentality has
always been I don't want someone else to suffer and
not see that. And I think our group, we've all
had a loss or struggles ourselves, and a big thing
(04:44):
for us is sharing our stories. And through the years,
I mean even in our committee meetings, you hear more
and more as you become comfortable with people. And I've
said it myself, I've heard other members say, you know,
as hard as it may be for me to share
my stuf, if it helps one person or saves a life,
makes a difference. I'm going to keep sharing it.
Speaker 1 (05:06):
Yeah, absolutely, And I feel the same way again, learning
that I needed to talk about it. Suddenly I had
all these feelings, even though it had been many, many
years since I had lost a friend, like you said,
lost a friend in high school or then lost in
my case a teacher, and then that teacher's child also,
(05:29):
and just realizing that all of that had happened and
I had never dealt with it. I had never really
you know, expressed the emotions, and all of a sudden,
I'm there hugging you guys and crying myself and getting
these these feelings up and out, and I feel like
I left there feeling so much better.
Speaker 3 (05:49):
Exactly. And it's you know, every year we have, you know,
a new team that had just that's just lost somebody,
and you never know what to expect. But I always
encourag people if you feel ready to come out to
join us. There's no pressure. You can talk to everyone,
you can talk to no one, but come out and
(06:09):
see because most people will tell you they walked away
feeling hope and a sense of community and like they've
connected to someone, and it truly is incredible. You know,
My first year, I didn't know what to expect. I
wear orange beads for loss of a sibling, and a
woman walked up to me and was like, can I
hug you? Like I am in the same boat as
(06:31):
you are, And it was as simple as that. She
hugged me and I never saw her again. But it's
just knowing you're not alone really gives you hope and
kind of strength to keep going and working through it all.
Speaker 1 (06:43):
Well, which is really why we have the walk. I mean,
it's an opportunity for people to get together and support
one another. This event has grown, I think the first event,
and I still go to some events in our area.
I actually live now in the New River Valley and
I've had the opportunity to go to their walks. They're
(07:04):
still growing. They're very small, but growing, But the Lynchburg
Walk is one of those in the state. I mean,
it has become one of the bigger events that happened
in Lynchburg for all charities, it's one of the biggest walks.
So when people come out, what can they expect to
see on the day of a walk?
Speaker 3 (07:24):
So many things we're actually growing, but you know, we'll
have Tony Kim and the funk aucers at nine Planes,
so it's kind of upbeat and fine, and we'll have
resource tables from counseling centers to veterans groups there for
you to speak to and just kind of get to know.
You can get your beads. We have signs that explain
(07:44):
what every bead color is. You can pick that up.
We always have complimentary coffee and snacks. Last year we
had happy Waffle nautical bowls, so fingers crossed. That kind
of works out again with Tiny and then you know,
we've always done Hope ra which is where you paint
a rock and the idea is that you leave it
somewhere for somebody else to find. I know that's become big.
(08:07):
I feel like younger kids will find them in the park.
But this year, you know, we are trying to expand
to a few more activities where we're going to have
bracelet making Girls on the Run. We attended one of
their events and they made shoe stream charms, so you
know we're going to kind of do that. We want
to do a little bit more with gratitude and whether
(08:29):
it's writing a note, coloring to picture that type of thing.
We're going to implement a few more of those activities
this year for people to do between nine and ten
when we start the walk, we'll also have our memory
wall where everyone's welcome to bring a picture, a note,
anything that speaks to them and someone they've lost that
they can hang up and will be displayed. And after
we always collect those items and put them in a
(08:52):
book that will be at the walk every year. And
then from then, you know, we start our event at
ten am and we just welcome everybody, and then we
have stories that are shared from each bead color. We
go out into the community and find a representation of
each and they share their story. And that's really the
(09:14):
powerful part. I think that's where most of us end
up crying and kind of getting choked up because you're
really hearing the effect and as heartbreaking as it is,
it really does bring people together and it's a beautiful
moment to really hear people out and let them share
their story because it's not always something that they do,
(09:34):
and people take a big step letting this be one
of the first times. And then we kick off the
walk with our top fundraising team. We walk through Peaksview
Park all together, and then at the end we do
come back together and we do closing ceremonies. We have
ribbons and things, and we just it's a great way
to end it all together, seeing all the colors. It's
(09:57):
just it's a powerful thing. And then we up around noon.
Speaker 1 (10:02):
YEP, it is a fantastic event. Well, Brandy, I appreciate
you kind of giving us a quick recap of what
the October fourth event will be like at Peaks Few
and Cassie Harriston, you know, Cassie, has you've been at
these How many years have you been involved with the
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention in the Walks?
Speaker 4 (10:22):
So I became involved in twenty eighteen, so quite a
while now eight years.
Speaker 2 (10:28):
I can't really believe it's been that long.
Speaker 4 (10:30):
But it's been great to see this walk evolve and grow,
and all the committee members that we've added just kind
of brings in a new new flavor for us. Every
time we add new people to our committee, we get
new ideas. We can touch new communities or or other
people that we may not have reached previously. So it's
always great to see the growth that.
Speaker 1 (10:51):
We have no doubt about that. And of course you
have shared your story with me many times about why
you're involved and how you got involved. Would you like
to share that now?
Speaker 4 (11:02):
Absolutely so, touching on what Brandy said and the importance
of sharing our stories. And I'm one of those that
it is hard to share my story at times, but
the more I do it, the easier it does become.
But I am a suicide lost survivor and a suicide
attempt survivor. So I was in a pretty rough relationship
for about seven years. It was abusive, he was an alcoholic,
(11:26):
he was bipolar, and just he didn't see an issue
with his behavior and didn't want to get any help. Ultimately,
he passed away in September of twenty seventeen. And after
losing him, it was very traumatic to be present and
to not know how to handle it. You don't know
how to process that at all, to grieve it, because
(11:48):
there's so many mixed emotions. There's anger, there's sadness, and
then at the same time, I felt this relief because
I wasn't living under that burden anymore of never knowing
what I was going to come home to and walking
on eggshells my whole life. But I didn't know how
to transition back to who I was. I didn't know
who I was anymore. I had no identity, and I
(12:09):
really struggled with that. But I didn't know how to
say I was struggling, and I didn't know how to
tell anybody I needed help, so I didn't and I
buried all that pain. And about six months after he
passed away, I made an attempt to take my own life,
and I honestly woke up in the hospital and I
laid in that bed and I thought, you know, I
can either let what I've been through break me.
Speaker 2 (12:30):
I can let it win, or I can.
Speaker 4 (12:32):
Find that silver lining and find a reason for why
I went through this and give myself that purpose. And
it really helped to just spearhead my kind of second coming,
so to say, kind of reinventing who I was and
finding myself again. And I know the more I tell
my story, the more it kind of changes over the years,
(12:54):
because I do look at it differently now and I
look at the lessons I learned and what I've been
able to to do since starting to share my story.
And you know, through the AFSP now that we're able
to get trainings and go out into the community not
only to share our stories, but to share uh, training
on toalk sday's lives. So talking in the community of
(13:14):
how can we recognize warning signs, how do we start
these conversations, you know, and then how do we connect
people to the resources that we have in our community
and nationally just so that we can help the next person.
Speaker 1 (13:29):
So when you got involved with AFSP and me out
of the Darkness walk you like kind of like Brandy
was sharing, getting involved with this group of people who
have had similar experiences really kind of helped you express
your feelings and heal.
Speaker 4 (13:46):
Absolutely are our committee is almost like a therapy group
and in a way of you know, we're all connected
in this unfortunate way, but it's this level of understanding
that if you're not a part of this club, you
don't really understand. And so having that safe place to
be able to express ourselves and just talk openly, it
(14:08):
made it a lot easier to go outside of just
our little circle and start talking openly. And you know,
I brought it into my workplace. I worked for a
Clorox and you know, last year in June, I was
able to share on a national level of a broadcasting
Clorox my story being a suicide survivor, and I never
thought I would say that on a corporate level in
front of so many high level folks, But it really
(14:31):
made a difference, and I feel like I connected to
a lot of people within the company that I might
not have previously if I didn't share my story.
Speaker 1 (14:39):
Well, I'm glad that your company lets you talk about that.
If anyone is listening to this and you are part
of a company, you're in a leadership role, you really
need to be able to offer these kind of counseling
services and offer the opportunity for people to share their story, because,
as we were saying earlier, suicide prevention starts with talking,
(15:00):
with communicating and getting your story out there. Like I said,
it was for me, I didn't realize what I had
pushed down that needed to come out and be talked about.
And what a difference it's made, you know, we talked
about the hope Rock's a funny story. I play competitive
(15:21):
pool with an organization called APA, and when you are
making your eight ball or you're shooting your eight ball,
you have to mark your pocket which pocket you're shooting for,
so that if it were to bounce off and go
to another pocket, you know your intended pocket. Well, I
always mark my pocket with one of the Hope Rocks,
(15:42):
so I took the Hope Rock. Yeah. And what's really
cool about it is occasionally some of the other players
will see it and after we've had our match, they
ask about it, and it gives the opportunity to talk.
And what I have found is people really want to
talk about suicide prevention and they want to share their
(16:03):
experiences and what they're feeling. But there are so many
people that think they can't or they're not supposed to.
So it's like we've got to open up the door
and give them the chance to talk. And often they will, won't.
Speaker 4 (16:15):
They absolutely, And that's why we try to have a
presence in the community as often as we can, whether
it's with you, personal fundraisers from our team members, or
fundraisers for the AFSP Walk in Lynchburg directly, or just
opportunities to get out into the community and share our
resource information at events that are put on by other
(16:37):
organizations that we can partner with.
Speaker 1 (16:39):
Well, speaking of those other events that are put on
throughout the area, let's talk a little bit about some
things that are going on. You have been involved with
some tattoo fundraisers. Tell us about that.
Speaker 4 (16:52):
Yeah, so, Dream Driven Tattoos has been a wonderful partner.
We have completed two tattoo fundraisers with them so far.
Speaker 2 (16:59):
We just completed one actually last weekend. We did a
two day fundraiser for two days and we did.
Speaker 4 (17:05):
A total of sixty five tattoos and raised over twenty
hundred dollars.
Speaker 2 (17:09):
So it was a huge turnout.
Speaker 4 (17:12):
It really helped to spread awareness in the community, and
I feel like it helped us to reach a community
of folks that we may not have in another formats
or other tabling events that we've been a part of before.
So I'm really excited to see what we can continue
to do because we do plan to have another two
day fundraiser in September to honor Suicide Prevention Month.
Speaker 1 (17:35):
All Right, and tell us the name of the tattoo
organization that's that's kind of involved in that.
Speaker 4 (17:41):
Yeah, So, Dream Driven Tattoos. They're on Timberlake Road in Lynchberg.
They're awesome. They have four artists in there that they'll
do walk ins. They have tons of flash designs to
choose from, and they're really amazing. If you just sit
down and kind of describe to them what you want
to do. They'll make it happen for you. Very talented
and just very connected to the cause as well, and
(18:05):
a great group of people.
Speaker 1 (18:07):
That's awesome. I want something Star Wars. I'm a Star
Wars nerd. I was kind of thinking maybe I should
get like a lightsaber or something like that.
Speaker 2 (18:16):
I love it. They would do it for you. Go
up there and see decks. He got you.
Speaker 1 (18:21):
That's awesome. That's awesome. Well, there's other events coming up
as well that are kind of events that you guys
table like afsp table. Information about the walk. Tell me
about Odyssey Fest.
Speaker 2 (18:34):
Yes, odysty Fest. We are so excited for this to
be back.
Speaker 4 (18:38):
So the first odyssey Fest was back in twenty nineteen,
so some people may remember this.
Speaker 2 (18:43):
We are bringing it back.
Speaker 4 (18:44):
Toby did a lot of work to get this back
in action, so he put this together for June fourteenth.
It's an all day event at the Sidalia Center and
it'll be from eleven thirty to ten thirty. You can
expect musical acts. There's gonna be two different stages with
three different acts on each. There's going to be veteran programs,
food trucks, tons of Family Fund and even a foam
(19:08):
cannon for kids with the true purpose of this event
is to raise awareness of resources in our community for
veterans and first responders, with one hundred percent of the
proceeds going to those organizations.
Speaker 1 (19:20):
That is a fantastic I've been to the Sanelia Center
many times for concerts. I actually had the opportunity to
MCE some shows there and I believe that's Bedford County right, Yes, yeah, okay,
it's an awesome outdoor venue. Had a lot of fun there,
so you should check that out the website Odissefest dot
(19:41):
org Odisseyfest dot org to find out more For that
June fourteenth event, that's fantastic the day after my birthday,
so all the more reason to go right.
Speaker 2 (19:51):
Exactly, come out and celebrate.
Speaker 1 (19:53):
That's right, that's right. And of course we know that
there's going to be other events side events related to
the Out of the Darkness Walk, which again is coming
up on October fourth at Peaksview Park. But some other
side events will be coming up, and how can folks
follow along, like if they're interested in finding out more
about AFSP, about the Lynchburg organization, the Out of the
(20:17):
Darkness Walk, let's give them some guidance here.
Speaker 4 (20:20):
Absolutely, So the best place for your most current and
updated information will be our Facebook page.
Speaker 2 (20:26):
So if you go to Facebook, it.
Speaker 4 (20:27):
Is Lynchburg VA, Out of the Darkness Walk. You find
that page, it's public, you join it and you'll see
all of our updates.
Speaker 2 (20:35):
When we have events, we share them.
Speaker 4 (20:37):
And then even if we have tabling events where we're
not putting on the event, but we're going to be present,
we typically will share that event as well and just
let everybody know that we'll be there.
Speaker 2 (20:46):
And Althy, you.
Speaker 1 (20:47):
Guys have a great T shirt fundraiser coming up as well,
I understand.
Speaker 4 (20:51):
Yeah, it's actually it's live right now. So it's the
whole month of May for Mental Health Awareness Month. And
this is I want to say, the fourth or fifth
year we've partnered with a local vendor, Treasures to Keep.
Speaker 2 (21:02):
She does wonderful for us.
Speaker 4 (21:03):
She helps us find really great designs that support mental
health and suicide prevention, and every shirt that we sell
throughout this month, ten dollars will be donated to the
Lynchburg Walk. So you can find that link on our
Facebook page or you can go to her Facebook.
Speaker 2 (21:21):
Page which is Treasures the number two.
Speaker 1 (21:24):
Keep that's awesome. Well, anything else you guys want to
mention before we disconnect here. It's been a great talk
with you guys. I sure hope that folks get something
from it. I hope that folks will reach out. I
would like to mention the Suicide Crisis Lifeline is nine
to eight eight, And you know, AFSP had a lot
(21:47):
to do with that national three digit number being available nationwide,
and I understand that the number of calls versus when
it was a full eight hundred number that you had
to know, has increased a whole lot, and it's been
it's been a great tool for helping those in need.
Speaker 3 (22:06):
Absolutely, And just a note, you can also text ninety eight.
I know sometimes calling seems a little more daunting, so
you can call or text that number and receive help.
Speaker 1 (22:17):
Yeah, that that is true. I find myself texting more
and more. I'm an older guy, but I still prefer texting,
it seems like at this stage of life. And what's
funny is my oldest child is twenty one and they
like to call.
Speaker 3 (22:33):
He loves to call, you love to call. I think
the thing about texting is, like, you know, you can
kind of multitask, you know, it's still there, whereas a
phone call you kind of have to stop, yeah, and
really focus, at least for me. Yeah, that's just me.
Speaker 1 (22:51):
That's true. That's true. I'm mostly email and text, but
yet it is important to talk. I was reminded of
that recently when I was communicating with my mother in
West Virginia. We were texting back and forth, and I
was like, I realized that I had been texting with
her off and on for a couple of weeks about
some things coming up, and I had not heard the
sound of her voice. And I was just like, I'm
(23:12):
gonna call and just and we call and we talked
about nothing for like thirty minutes. I think it's important
to do both. Well, Cassie and Brandy, I appreciate your
time so much, looking forward to the Out of the
Darkness Walk in the Fall as well as all the
other events that will be going on. And again, thank
you guys so much.
Speaker 2 (23:33):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (23:35):
All Right, this is around Town on the radio stations
of iHeartRadio, rowing O Clinchberg. I'm Scott Stevens.
For iHeartRadio Rona Clenchberg. This is Scott Stevens and this
is around town where we talk about community issues and
community activities and great things that are going on in
the community to help others. And if you've listened to
me before, you know that a cause that is near
and dear to my heart is suicide prevention. I've been
(00:35):
fortunate to be involved with the American Foundation for Suicide
Prevention for many years. I'm a former board member, and
I still try to work with them as best I can,
especially when we start talking about the Out of the
Darkness walks that will be coming up this fall. And
I've got a couple of guests with me right now
from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Lynchburg Group. We've
(00:58):
got Cassie Harriston and Jones. Hi, guys, good to see you.
How are you good, How are you doing well? Doing well?
Thank you for joining me and Cassie. Good to connect
with you as well. Hey, Scott, So, of course we
want to talk about the upcoming walk, the Lynchberg Out
(01:18):
of the Darkness Walk, which is the event that kind
of got me connected to you guys many many years ago,
is coming up October fourth, at Peaksview Park in Lynchburg.
I'd like to share the story every time I talk
about it. I found out about it. We of course
do these kind of programs recordings and public service announcements,
(01:38):
and Danne came to see me at the radio station
along with Joan and said, hey, we want to talk
to you about our Out of the Darkness Walk. So,
you know, we did our usual little radio thing and
talked about it, and then of course Dan would not
leave me alone until I actually would come to the walk.
And then once I got down there and got to
(01:59):
know you guys, I was hooked because the cause is
very important and just everybody there's so much love with
those events. That's the first thing I noticed. I went
there expecting to be sad, but I didn't. I went
there and I felt a whole lot of love. You think, Brandy,
that's a great way to describe it.
Speaker 2 (02:17):
I do.
Speaker 3 (02:18):
I always tell people that we meet in the community.
While it's an intense topic and there are a lot
of feelings and emotions with the day, it's always uplifting.
Speaker 2 (02:28):
I always leave the.
Speaker 3 (02:29):
Event feeling very connected to the people that were around me.
You know, it's not a group you want to be
a part of. You don't want to lose someone you
don't you know, our goal is to get to the
point where people don't struggle and we don't lose anyone.
But having people come together, it helps remind you you're
(02:50):
not alone in your grief, your process, any of that.
So I always my heart is very full at the
end of every walk.
Speaker 1 (02:59):
Yes, no doubt. And I never thought I never thought that.
I guess before I met you guys and started getting involved,
I always thought that suicide was something that was supposed
to be hidden, boxed up, you know, held inside. So
you know, when I dealt with suicide ideations myself or
I had family members that struggled, I thought the idea
(03:24):
was to keep it very private, very quiet, and just
within our family. And I think I learned right away
with you guys that it was so important to talk
about it and talk through it, and that talk really
does save lives.
Speaker 3 (03:38):
It really does. And I always say, you know, there's
a stigma, it's a taboo. It hasn't been talked about.
I remember my first first experiencing a loss in high school,
and it was just shock waves, and it happened my
sophomore year, and then we didn't talk about it again.
We were ribbon when we graduated in memory, and that
(04:00):
was kind of it. And through the years, I've heard
of a lot of losses locally, but again not more
beyond the loss itself. So personally. When I lost my
brother in September twenty nineteen, I don't know why this
was kind of my way of thinking. I immediately told
my parents, you know, if this is not disrespectful to you,
(04:21):
like I'm going to be very honest, I need to
address this on social media because it's overwhelming when you're
getting all these things. But I didn't want to hide it.
I wanted to talk about it because my mentality has
always been I don't want someone else to suffer and
not see that. And I think our group, we've all
had a loss or struggles ourselves, and a big thing
(04:44):
for us is sharing our stories. And through the years,
I mean even in our committee meetings, you hear more
and more as you become comfortable with people. And I've
said it myself, I've heard other members say, you know,
as hard as it may be for me to share
my stuf, if it helps one person or saves a life,
makes a difference. I'm going to keep sharing it.
Speaker 1 (05:06):
Yeah, absolutely, And I feel the same way again, learning
that I needed to talk about it. Suddenly I had
all these feelings, even though it had been many, many
years since I had lost a friend, like you said,
lost a friend in high school or then lost in
my case a teacher, and then that teacher's child also,
(05:29):
and just realizing that all of that had happened and
I had never dealt with it. I had never really
you know, expressed the emotions, and all of a sudden,
I'm there hugging you guys and crying myself and getting
these these feelings up and out, and I feel like
I left there feeling so much better.
Speaker 3 (05:49):
Exactly. And it's you know, every year we have, you know,
a new team that had just that's just lost somebody,
and you never know what to expect. But I always
encourag people if you feel ready to come out to
join us. There's no pressure. You can talk to everyone,
you can talk to no one, but come out and
(06:09):
see because most people will tell you they walked away
feeling hope and a sense of community and like they've
connected to someone, and it truly is incredible. You know,
My first year, I didn't know what to expect. I
wear orange beads for loss of a sibling, and a
woman walked up to me and was like, can I
hug you? Like I am in the same boat as
(06:31):
you are, And it was as simple as that. She
hugged me and I never saw her again. But it's
just knowing you're not alone really gives you hope and
kind of strength to keep going and working through it all.
Speaker 1 (06:43):
Well, which is really why we have the walk. I mean,
it's an opportunity for people to get together and support
one another. This event has grown, I think the first event,
and I still go to some events in our area.
I actually live now in the New River Valley and
I've had the opportunity to go to their walks. They're
(07:04):
still growing. They're very small, but growing, But the Lynchburg
Walk is one of those in the state. I mean,
it has become one of the bigger events that happened
in Lynchburg for all charities, it's one of the biggest walks.
So when people come out, what can they expect to
see on the day of a walk?
Speaker 3 (07:24):
So many things we're actually growing, but you know, we'll
have Tony Kim and the funk aucers at nine Planes,
so it's kind of upbeat and fine, and we'll have
resource tables from counseling centers to veterans groups there for
you to speak to and just kind of get to know.
You can get your beads. We have signs that explain
(07:44):
what every bead color is. You can pick that up.
We always have complimentary coffee and snacks. Last year we
had happy Waffle nautical bowls, so fingers crossed. That kind
of works out again with Tiny and then you know,
we've always done Hope ra which is where you paint
a rock and the idea is that you leave it
somewhere for somebody else to find. I know that's become big.
(08:07):
I feel like younger kids will find them in the park.
But this year, you know, we are trying to expand
to a few more activities where we're going to have
bracelet making Girls on the Run. We attended one of
their events and they made shoe stream charms, so you
know we're going to kind of do that. We want
to do a little bit more with gratitude and whether
(08:29):
it's writing a note, coloring to picture that type of thing.
We're going to implement a few more of those activities
this year for people to do between nine and ten
when we start the walk, we'll also have our memory
wall where everyone's welcome to bring a picture, a note,
anything that speaks to them and someone they've lost that
they can hang up and will be displayed. And after
we always collect those items and put them in a
(08:52):
book that will be at the walk every year. And
then from then, you know, we start our event at
ten am and we just welcome everybody, and then we
have stories that are shared from each bead color. We
go out into the community and find a representation of
each and they share their story. And that's really the
(09:14):
powerful part. I think that's where most of us end
up crying and kind of getting choked up because you're
really hearing the effect and as heartbreaking as it is,
it really does bring people together and it's a beautiful
moment to really hear people out and let them share
their story because it's not always something that they do,
(09:34):
and people take a big step letting this be one
of the first times. And then we kick off the
walk with our top fundraising team. We walk through Peaksview
Park all together, and then at the end we do
come back together and we do closing ceremonies. We have
ribbons and things, and we just it's a great way
to end it all together, seeing all the colors. It's
(09:57):
just it's a powerful thing. And then we up around noon.
Speaker 1 (10:02):
YEP, it is a fantastic event. Well, Brandy, I appreciate
you kind of giving us a quick recap of what
the October fourth event will be like at Peaks Few
and Cassie Harriston, you know, Cassie, has you've been at
these How many years have you been involved with the
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention in the Walks?
Speaker 4 (10:22):
So I became involved in twenty eighteen, so quite a
while now eight years.
Speaker 2 (10:28):
I can't really believe it's been that long.
Speaker 4 (10:30):
But it's been great to see this walk evolve and grow,
and all the committee members that we've added just kind
of brings in a new new flavor for us. Every
time we add new people to our committee, we get
new ideas. We can touch new communities or or other
people that we may not have reached previously. So it's
always great to see the growth that.
Speaker 1 (10:51):
We have no doubt about that. And of course you
have shared your story with me many times about why
you're involved and how you got involved. Would you like
to share that now?
Speaker 4 (11:02):
Absolutely so, touching on what Brandy said and the importance
of sharing our stories. And I'm one of those that
it is hard to share my story at times, but
the more I do it, the easier it does become.
But I am a suicide lost survivor and a suicide
attempt survivor. So I was in a pretty rough relationship
for about seven years. It was abusive, he was an alcoholic,
(11:26):
he was bipolar, and just he didn't see an issue
with his behavior and didn't want to get any help. Ultimately,
he passed away in September of twenty seventeen. And after
losing him, it was very traumatic to be present and
to not know how to handle it. You don't know
how to process that at all, to grieve it, because
(11:48):
there's so many mixed emotions. There's anger, there's sadness, and
then at the same time, I felt this relief because
I wasn't living under that burden anymore of never knowing
what I was going to come home to and walking
on eggshells my whole life. But I didn't know how
to transition back to who I was. I didn't know
who I was anymore. I had no identity, and I
(12:09):
really struggled with that. But I didn't know how to
say I was struggling, and I didn't know how to
tell anybody I needed help, so I didn't and I
buried all that pain. And about six months after he
passed away, I made an attempt to take my own life,
and I honestly woke up in the hospital and I
laid in that bed and I thought, you know, I
can either let what I've been through break me.
Speaker 2 (12:30):
I can let it win, or I can.
Speaker 4 (12:32):
Find that silver lining and find a reason for why
I went through this and give myself that purpose. And
it really helped to just spearhead my kind of second coming,
so to say, kind of reinventing who I was and
finding myself again. And I know the more I tell
my story, the more it kind of changes over the years,
(12:54):
because I do look at it differently now and I
look at the lessons I learned and what I've been
able to to do since starting to share my story.
And you know, through the AFSP now that we're able
to get trainings and go out into the community not
only to share our stories, but to share uh, training
on toalk sday's lives. So talking in the community of
(13:14):
how can we recognize warning signs, how do we start
these conversations, you know, and then how do we connect
people to the resources that we have in our community
and nationally just so that we can help the next person.
Speaker 1 (13:29):
So when you got involved with AFSP and me out
of the Darkness walk you like kind of like Brandy
was sharing, getting involved with this group of people who
have had similar experiences really kind of helped you express
your feelings and heal.
Speaker 4 (13:46):
Absolutely are our committee is almost like a therapy group
and in a way of you know, we're all connected
in this unfortunate way, but it's this level of understanding
that if you're not a part of this club, you
don't really understand. And so having that safe place to
be able to express ourselves and just talk openly, it
(14:08):
made it a lot easier to go outside of just
our little circle and start talking openly. And you know,
I brought it into my workplace. I worked for a
Clorox and you know, last year in June, I was
able to share on a national level of a broadcasting
Clorox my story being a suicide survivor, and I never
thought I would say that on a corporate level in
front of so many high level folks, But it really
(14:31):
made a difference, and I feel like I connected to
a lot of people within the company that I might
not have previously if I didn't share my story.
Speaker 1 (14:39):
Well, I'm glad that your company lets you talk about that.
If anyone is listening to this and you are part
of a company, you're in a leadership role, you really
need to be able to offer these kind of counseling
services and offer the opportunity for people to share their story, because,
as we were saying earlier, suicide prevention starts with talking,
(15:00):
with communicating and getting your story out there. Like I said,
it was for me, I didn't realize what I had
pushed down that needed to come out and be talked about.
And what a difference it's made, you know, we talked
about the hope Rock's a funny story. I play competitive
(15:21):
pool with an organization called APA, and when you are
making your eight ball or you're shooting your eight ball,
you have to mark your pocket which pocket you're shooting for,
so that if it were to bounce off and go
to another pocket, you know your intended pocket. Well, I
always mark my pocket with one of the Hope Rocks,
(15:42):
so I took the Hope Rock. Yeah. And what's really
cool about it is occasionally some of the other players
will see it and after we've had our match, they
ask about it, and it gives the opportunity to talk.
And what I have found is people really want to
talk about suicide prevention and they want to share their
(16:03):
experiences and what they're feeling. But there are so many
people that think they can't or they're not supposed to.
So it's like we've got to open up the door
and give them the chance to talk. And often they will, won't.
Speaker 4 (16:15):
They absolutely, And that's why we try to have a
presence in the community as often as we can, whether
it's with you, personal fundraisers from our team members, or
fundraisers for the AFSP Walk in Lynchburg directly, or just
opportunities to get out into the community and share our
resource information at events that are put on by other
(16:37):
organizations that we can partner with.
Speaker 1 (16:39):
Well, speaking of those other events that are put on
throughout the area, let's talk a little bit about some
things that are going on. You have been involved with
some tattoo fundraisers. Tell us about that.
Speaker 4 (16:52):
Yeah, so, Dream Driven Tattoos has been a wonderful partner.
We have completed two tattoo fundraisers with them so far.
Speaker 2 (16:59):
We just completed one actually last weekend. We did a
two day fundraiser for two days and we did.
Speaker 4 (17:05):
A total of sixty five tattoos and raised over twenty
hundred dollars.
Speaker 2 (17:09):
So it was a huge turnout.
Speaker 4 (17:12):
It really helped to spread awareness in the community, and
I feel like it helped us to reach a community
of folks that we may not have in another formats
or other tabling events that we've been a part of before.
So I'm really excited to see what we can continue
to do because we do plan to have another two
day fundraiser in September to honor Suicide Prevention Month.
Speaker 1 (17:35):
All Right, and tell us the name of the tattoo
organization that's that's kind of involved in that.
Speaker 4 (17:41):
Yeah, So, Dream Driven Tattoos. They're on Timberlake Road in Lynchberg.
They're awesome. They have four artists in there that they'll
do walk ins. They have tons of flash designs to
choose from, and they're really amazing. If you just sit
down and kind of describe to them what you want
to do. They'll make it happen for you. Very talented
and just very connected to the cause as well, and
(18:05):
a great group of people.
Speaker 1 (18:07):
That's awesome. I want something Star Wars. I'm a Star
Wars nerd. I was kind of thinking maybe I should
get like a lightsaber or something like that.
Speaker 2 (18:16):
I love it. They would do it for you. Go
up there and see decks. He got you.
Speaker 1 (18:21):
That's awesome. That's awesome. Well, there's other events coming up
as well that are kind of events that you guys
table like afsp table. Information about the walk. Tell me
about Odyssey Fest.
Speaker 2 (18:34):
Yes, odysty Fest. We are so excited for this to
be back.
Speaker 4 (18:38):
So the first odyssey Fest was back in twenty nineteen,
so some people may remember this.
Speaker 2 (18:43):
We are bringing it back.
Speaker 4 (18:44):
Toby did a lot of work to get this back
in action, so he put this together for June fourteenth.
It's an all day event at the Sidalia Center and
it'll be from eleven thirty to ten thirty. You can
expect musical acts. There's gonna be two different stages with
three different acts on each. There's going to be veteran programs,
food trucks, tons of Family Fund and even a foam
(19:08):
cannon for kids with the true purpose of this event
is to raise awareness of resources in our community for
veterans and first responders, with one hundred percent of the
proceeds going to those organizations.
Speaker 1 (19:20):
That is a fantastic I've been to the Sanelia Center
many times for concerts. I actually had the opportunity to
MCE some shows there and I believe that's Bedford County right, Yes, yeah, okay,
it's an awesome outdoor venue. Had a lot of fun there,
so you should check that out the website Odissefest dot
(19:41):
org Odisseyfest dot org to find out more For that
June fourteenth event, that's fantastic the day after my birthday,
so all the more reason to go right.
Speaker 2 (19:51):
Exactly, come out and celebrate.
Speaker 1 (19:53):
That's right, that's right. And of course we know that
there's going to be other events side events related to
the Out of the Darkness Walk, which again is coming
up on October fourth at Peaksview Park. But some other
side events will be coming up, and how can folks
follow along, like if they're interested in finding out more
about AFSP, about the Lynchburg organization, the Out of the
(20:17):
Darkness Walk, let's give them some guidance here.
Speaker 4 (20:20):
Absolutely, So the best place for your most current and
updated information will be our Facebook page.
Speaker 2 (20:26):
So if you go to Facebook, it.
Speaker 4 (20:27):
Is Lynchburg VA, Out of the Darkness Walk. You find
that page, it's public, you join it and you'll see
all of our updates.
Speaker 2 (20:35):
When we have events, we share them.
Speaker 4 (20:37):
And then even if we have tabling events where we're
not putting on the event, but we're going to be present,
we typically will share that event as well and just
let everybody know that we'll be there.
Speaker 2 (20:46):
And Althy, you.
Speaker 1 (20:47):
Guys have a great T shirt fundraiser coming up as well,
I understand.
Speaker 4 (20:51):
Yeah, it's actually it's live right now. So it's the
whole month of May for Mental Health Awareness Month. And
this is I want to say, the fourth or fifth
year we've partnered with a local vendor, Treasures to Keep.
Speaker 2 (21:02):
She does wonderful for us.
Speaker 4 (21:03):
She helps us find really great designs that support mental
health and suicide prevention, and every shirt that we sell
throughout this month, ten dollars will be donated to the
Lynchburg Walk. So you can find that link on our
Facebook page or you can go to her Facebook.
Speaker 2 (21:21):
Page which is Treasures the number two.
Speaker 1 (21:24):
Keep that's awesome. Well, anything else you guys want to
mention before we disconnect here. It's been a great talk
with you guys. I sure hope that folks get something
from it. I hope that folks will reach out. I
would like to mention the Suicide Crisis Lifeline is nine
to eight eight, And you know, AFSP had a lot
(21:47):
to do with that national three digit number being available nationwide,
and I understand that the number of calls versus when
it was a full eight hundred number that you had
to know, has increased a whole lot, and it's been
it's been a great tool for helping those in need.
Speaker 3 (22:06):
Absolutely, And just a note, you can also text ninety eight.
I know sometimes calling seems a little more daunting, so
you can call or text that number and receive help.
Speaker 1 (22:17):
Yeah, that that is true. I find myself texting more
and more. I'm an older guy, but I still prefer texting,
it seems like at this stage of life. And what's
funny is my oldest child is twenty one and they
like to call.
Speaker 3 (22:33):
He loves to call, you love to call. I think
the thing about texting is, like, you know, you can
kind of multitask, you know, it's still there, whereas a
phone call you kind of have to stop, yeah, and
really focus, at least for me. Yeah, that's just me.
Speaker 1 (22:51):
That's true. That's true. I'm mostly email and text, but
yet it is important to talk. I was reminded of
that recently when I was communicating with my mother in
West Virginia. We were texting back and forth, and I
was like, I realized that I had been texting with
her off and on for a couple of weeks about
some things coming up, and I had not heard the
sound of her voice. And I was just like, I'm
(23:12):
gonna call and just and we call and we talked
about nothing for like thirty minutes. I think it's important
to do both. Well, Cassie and Brandy, I appreciate your
time so much, looking forward to the Out of the
Darkness Walk in the Fall as well as all the
other events that will be going on. And again, thank
you guys so much.
Speaker 2 (23:33):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (23:35):
All Right, this is around Town on the radio stations
of iHeartRadio, rowing O Clinchberg. I'm Scott Stevens.
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