Leading up to the 2016 Greater Augusta Out of the Darkness Walk in Staunton, Augusta Free Press shares #WhyIWalk profiles of local people and why they are choosing to walk on October 8.
Register for free to walk or learn more at bit.ly/2awG5aT.
I walk in memory of my identical twin sister, Christina, who died by suicide when we were only 15 years old. She was my best friend. We shared barbie dolls, played Monopoly for hours on end, read Sweet Valley Twin and Fear Street books, talked for hours and sometimes fought til one of us cried. As we got older, we shared a love for skating and skiing and spent way too much time in front of the mirror curling our hair! I thought she was the “tough” one and by outside appearances, she was. On the inside though, Tina was hurting. More than any of us ever realized.
Tina suffered from depression for several years. She talked about suicide occasionally and saw a counselor but we didn’t know how to help her. On the day Tina died, she left school early. I’m still to this day unsure why. She wrote a note saying she loved me and my mom. I was the last one she talked to her before she pulled the trigger. And on September 23, 1992, she left us forever.
Suicide Prevention starts with everyday heroes like you and me. Today, I serve on the state board for the Virginia Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. I have taken ASIST training to learn how to intervene or help anyone who may be at risk. I went to Washington to advocate on behalf of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention. I am working hard to bring more trainings to our region to make this area a #SuicideSafe community. My mission and AFSP’s mission are the same: to help saves lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide.
#WhyIWalk: Greater Augusta Out of the Darkness
- Walk With Us on October 8
- Walk Location: Gypsy Hill Park in Staunton
- Check-in/Registration Time: 10/08/2016 at 8:00 am
- Walk Begins: 10:00 am
- Walk Ends: 12:30 pm
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Crystal Graham
