AFSP MISSION: Save Lives and Bring Hope to Those Affected by Suicide

#WhyIWalk: On New Year’s Eve of last year, my son Christian’s partner David Taylor Sliff took his own life. With the loss of our dear David and Christian and his close circle of childhood friends subsequent reel into complete despair, I had an incredible need as a mother to somehow find some sort of meaning in this terrible tragedy. I couldn’t just look on as my son and his friends were adrift in a sea of sadness and questions. Questions I knew all too well.

Sadly this was not my first experience being the one left behind as my father died by suicide in 1979 when I was nine years old. Struggling to find hope and meaning as a child in the 1970’s was a very challenging and tough proposition and it was something that I learned you just weren’t supposed to talk about. Through treatment and therapy I was able to overcome what was a very desperate but very temporary and fleeting time in my youth, and I evolved into an adult who always made it a practice to speak openly and frankly about my experiences and try to bring normalcy to the verboten.

As a result of these losses, I was catapulted into a need to do something... anything to help bring the stigma of mental illness and chronic depression literally “Out of the Darkness” and into the light. Stumbling blindly through support groups and other organizations, we were directed to AFSP, and with David’s mother, Kathy, I attended my first AFSP volunteer meeting. We immediately knew we found the right fit for us as we were embraced by the community and felt this was an organization where we could tangibly make a difference.

One of the most shocking things on this new journey is there is not one person I have spoken to who doesn’t have a personal connection to suicide or extreme anxiety and depression and have their own story, be it a friend, family member, loved one, or simply someone they knew at work or school. It has become my mission to help spread awareness and fight for mental health advocacy and suicide prevention by using my network and experience through my career as a sports and entertainment industry professional to do so. It is imperative as a society that we allocate funds and resources for suicide prevention, mental health wellness, education and advocacy for better services available to all. 

On Saturday, October 19, 2019 at the Santa Monica Pier we will band together to raise money for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, our nation's leader in the fight against suicide. 

Will you walk with me? Connect With Others and Save Lives 

As the core of the Out of the Darkness Walks, the Community Walks are proof that when people work together, they can make big changes in our world. Taking place in hundreds of cities each fall, these walks raise awareness for our important cause as they raise the resources we need to carry out our mission. 

COMPANY, CLUB, OR BRAND TEAM: Band together with your co-workers, club, family or friends and create a team. It’s as simple as registering your team name, appointing a captain or two, and get “walkers” on your team and solicit donations through the website for the walk as you feel comfortable. Virtual walking is also an option for those that can’t make it on the day of the event, but still want to make an impact. 

Further your reach by making a Team Page on Facebook. Use the link from your AFSP walker page as the link for donations to drive visitors to your team page. Try a little competitive fun by seeing who can get the most walkers on your team, or who can get the most donations. 

SPONSORSHIP: I have attached our sponsorship packet here. We have many opportunities left for this year’s walk, and I would be happy to walk you through the myriad of ways that your brand can align with AFSP to make a positive change and build goodwill with a cause that everyone can get behind. 

DONATION: We do a raffle as part of our fundraising endeavors on the day of the walk so your generous gift of swag, merchandise, gift certificate redeemable for services, or tickets would be greatly appreciated. 

Thank you for taking the time to listen, Anastasia P. Johnson Santa Monica Chair – Out of the Darkness Walk.