Community Corner
Youth Group Reaches Out With a Message of Hope
Fairfax Presbyterian Church members raise suicide prevention awareness.
Each year the Fairfax Presbyterian Youth Group engages in a “We Are the Change” project, usually benefiting a third world country. This year, the seniors expressed a desire to focus on their own here in their community, spreading the message that “You Matter” and increasing awareness for prevention of suicide.
Seven teenagers in the past year alone have committed suicide in Fairfax County. Three youth suicides have occurred in Prince William County in the same time frame. . Many of the FPC youth group members have been affected by these young lives cut short.
Their 5K walk and candlelight vigil on Saturday was attended by about 100 youth and adults. Nancy Stevens, Youth Director at FPC and event organizer, noted that several of their youth group knew some of the teenagers who passed away. The group’s seniors lost someone close to them to suicide in the eighth grade.
Find out what's happening in Fairfax Citywith free, real-time updates from Patch.
“The kids suggested a walk," Stevens said. "The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) got on board, and we moved forward. The goal is not for people to be scared to talk about it.”
“All of our local schools have been affected," said William Ballard, a member of the FPC Youth Group and Fairfax High School senior. "We all have our own connections, our own stories of people we have lost. We are all teenagers. We understand the stressors: AP classes, SATS, the desire for acceptance. At times for some, it becomes too much. We all know what a slippery slope it is.”
Find out what's happening in Fairfax Citywith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Board chairman for the National Capital Area AFSP chapter Steve Iselin said they are grateful to the FPC group for their efforts. Money raised from the event goes to the AFSP organization, which provides grief support to those affected by suicide, research, and awareness/prevention efforts.
AFSP’s next event is an annual community walk on September 10 at George Mason University. The event will raise funds for the AFSP mission and, more importantly, awareness. In addition, this is a healing event where those have lost loved ones can walk with others in the same situation.
To learn more about the AFSP, visit www.afsp.org . Specific information about the National Capital Area chapter can be found by clicking on “find a chapter” then click on “VA”, which will take you to the local chapter website.
