Recently there have been a number of public suicides in our area. Depression and other mental illnesses are treatable, just like the illness of diabetes.

For some, the pain in a person's mind can be unbearable, and they only want to stop it, not to end their life. When untreated, suicide seems to be the only way out of this pain for many. The fear of being labeled "mentally ill" keeps those people from getting the help they need.

The grief following a suicide is intense, complex and long term. For every suicide, there are at least six survivors. These loved ones are left with unanswered questions and guilt and may become chronically depressed and in need of help themselves.

More than 32,000 suicides occur in the nation each year. By educating ourselves we can help to overcome the stigma attached to the mentally ill as well as suicide.

Sept. 9-15 is National Suicide Prevention week. The goal of Suicide Prevention Week is to promote awareness and advocacy about suicide prevention worldwide. I hope everyone will hear this call and be moved to make a difference.

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is holding "Out of the Darkness" community walks to raise money for vital research and education programs to prevent suicide, increase national awareness about depression and suicide and to assist survivors of suicide loss.

These are the ones in our area: Charlotte — Sept. 15 at Freedom Park, register at 8:30 a.m.; Winston-Salem — Sept. 22 at Tanglewood Park, register at 8 a.m. For more information, go to www.afsp.org or call 1-888-333-AFSP, ext. 33.

— Pam Puckett

Union Grove