A Love Letter to The Overnight

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s flagship fundraising event, the Out of the Darkness Overnight Walk traditionally brings thousands of people together to walk 16+ miles from dusk to dawn in solidarity for this important, deeply personal cause. We are proud to announce that registration is now open for this year’s Overnight, which will be held in New York City on June 4-5, 2022.

Dear Overnight Walk,

With the world making unprecedented changes daily, there is one thing I’ve found has maintained a sense of stability and comfort, and it is you. While The Overnight is usually held in person in a major city each year, the sense of comfort you provide was still present even when switching to a Virtual Overnight in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic. From your Honor Bead Ceremonies, in which participants share personal stories, to your blistering yet inspiring 16+ mile route, I wanted to express my gratitude in this letter dedicated to you.

Each Overnight participant is assigned a personal Walker Coach to help them achieve their goals for the event. When I joined the AFSP Staff as a Walker Coach in 2019, my first Overnight cities were San Francisco and Boston. Being a Walker Coach means being a Walker’s main point of contact, and providing them with all the tips and resources they need to fundraise and train for the big night. It is our job to support and care for each participant during their Overnight experience. As a fresh college graduate, and with this as my first job, I didn’t know what to expect, but was eager to share my love for helping others with the AFSP community. Looking back on those previous Overnight Walks, I gained unforgettable experiences and overall, a stronger appreciation for healing with others.

Thousands of Walkers who share a personal connection to our cause come together from across the country for one night, with the goal to stop suicide; and that is something I love most about The Overnight. It embodies the true meaning of teamwork, passion, and most importantly, connection.

At The Overnight, I love the hugs and embracing my Walkers on an emotional level. Seeing their smiles and hearing their stories in-person fills me with tremendous joy and admiration.

I love the Honor Beads and the representation they hold for the event. The individual colors show one’s personal connection to the cause (loss of a child, loss of a spouse, a personal struggle, etc.), and help us identify others who understand our unique experience. Peering out into the crowd and seeing the display of different colors is humbling and makes you realize that suicide loss survivors and those with lived experience are truly never alone throughout their journey.

I love watching Walkers triumphantly cross the finish line, expressing a plethora of emotions. Whether Walkers express feelings of victory, honor, or even sadness, it is important to remember that these emotions are all part of the healing journey and are welcome at The Overnight.

I love all of our Volunteers and Crew Members who hold a specific role in supporting the event, and the Staff who make this event possible. As a Walker Coach, I learned that hosting an event can be challenging in terms of logistics and planning. Together – Staff, Volunteers, and all participants – we make The Overnight happen through care, patience, and partnership.

An important thing I will always keep in my heart is that The Overnight will always find a way to move forward, connect, and stop suicide. Hope will always triumph over darkness.

Even during a global pandemic, The Overnight is strong and willing to fight for what it believes in: bringing The Overnight community together for one night of healing and hope.

I love you, Overnight Walk, and I can’t wait to see you on June 4^th.

Love,

Sammy

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