[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 152 (Thursday, September 21, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1248]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  IN RECOGNITION OF THE 10TH ANNUAL OUT OF THE DARKNESS COMMUNITY WALK

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. BARBARA COMSTOCK

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 21, 2017

  Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, last weekend we recognized National 
Suicide Prevention Week in Northern Virginia.
  The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention National Capital Area 
chapter hosted their 10th annual signature fundraising event, Out of 
the Darkness on Saturday, September 16th in Fairfax County, Virginia. 
Over the past ten years, Out of the Darkness has been vital to the 
rehabilitation of the human spirit here in Northern Virginia, and has 
been an integral part of the changing attitude towards suicide 
prevention and mental health awareness, allowing individuals from all 
backgrounds and stages of grief to come together in support of each 
other. The success of this year's walk, bringing together over 860 
attendees and raising over $90,000, attests to the meaningful impact of 
this chapter in support of Northern Virginian neighbors and their 
families.
  We have lost 1,122 precious lives, perhaps more, due to suicide in 
the last 12 months in Virginia, including children and veterans. The 
National Capital Area chapter's extensive work in providing community 
resources, including crisis numbers for the Veteran Combat Call Center, 
Veteran's Crisis Line, Suicide Prevention Line, and a texting option, 
have immensely benefited those who are seeking immediate assistance and 
support. These services are crucial, and especially helpful to those 
who are fearful in seeking assistance, and I thank you for all your 
efforts in supporting these programs.
  Out of the Darkness was supported by a variety of partners in 
prevention from across Fairfax County that shared resources to people 
and their families in various stages of grief, including the Fairfax 
County Fire and Rescue, Fairfax County Police Department, Fairfax 
County Sheriff Stacey A. Kincaid and the Department, INOVA Fairfax 
Hospital, International Association of Fire Chiefs, Virginia 
Professional Firefighters & Paramedics--IAFF Local 2068, IAFF Financial 
Corporation, Fairfax County Employee Advisory Council, Fairfax County 
Live Well Program, Interstate Van Lines, Shirley Contracting, 29 Diner 
Restaurants, JV's Restaurant, Austin Grill, Everymind.org, Trevor 
Project, Divine Elements Healing Home, Virginia Academy of Clinical 
Psychological Services, Abiding Hope Counseling Services, Yava Yoga, 
David J. Cobb Foundation, Youth for Tomorrow and many other local 
community businesses and elected officials.
  I thank them again for working to support the lives of Fairfax County 
families as well as those in the surrounding region. I am pleased to 
represent the National Capital Area chapter of the American Foundation 
for Suicide Prevention and its partners in the 10th District, and I 
wish them the best as they continue to bring awareness to suicide 
prevention and behavioral health.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of Virginia's Tenth Congressional District, I 
ask that you join me in recognizing the positive impact of the American 
Foundation for Suicide Prevention National Capital Area chapter Out of 
the Darkness Community Walk these past ten years.

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