Sharing the Light

 

According to Google, sunset on March 31st will be at 7:30 pm. (Thanks, DST.) You can spend the close of your day and experience all the colors of a spring sunset with a bunch of very cool people who care about Suicide Prevention. 

2nd Annual? I don’t remember the first so I did some digging around. 

Howard County Hosts Inaugural Light the Night 5K for Suicide Prevention

The Light the Night 5K was spearheaded by Chloe McGeehan who served as student member for the past year for the Howard County Recreation and Parks Park Board. Over 150 participants raised more than $2,100 combined. 

Chloe McGeehan was featured in a Baltimore Magazine article highlighting the work of young people making a difference in their communities. 

Suicide has been the leading cause of death for youth in Howard County since 2014. Chloe McGeehan has personally felt the effects of this sad statistic, having lost a running teammate to suicide. Last April, she created Light the Night 5K for Suicide Prevention.

In the press release for last year’s event, Ms. McGeehan stated:

I created Light the Night 5k for Suicide Prevention to provide resources and support for youth who, like myself, have personally experienced the serious suicide statistics plaguing our county and larger Maryland community. Running has helped me heal from loss, develop physical and mental strength, and connect with new people. I thought a 5k fundraiser would translate well to raising both funds and much needed mental health awareness, especially because the CDC reports, 'some benefits of physical activity on brain health happen right after a single session of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity.' Ultimately, I want this 5k to serve as a county-wide acknowledgment that we, the residents of Howard County, believe mental health is not only important, but an essential part of our collective community success.

The Light the Night 5K for Suicide Prevention returns to Oakland Mills High School this year on March 31st from 6 to 8:30 pm. This year’s event coordinator is RHHS student Aubrey Heiges.

The Light the Night 5k brings Howard County residents together to promote emotional well-being as an essential part of our collective community success. We hope to demonstrate the link between physical activity and mental health, while highlighting our amazing Howard County parks and outdoor spaces available to the public for physical activity. Finally, our goal is to raise funds for and awareness of community resources provided by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center.

• Bringing people together 
• Link between physical and mental health
• Focus on Howard County parks and outdoor spaces
• Raising funds prevention 
• Promoting awareness of available resources 

These are some powerful goals. I have to admit that I’ve never thought specifically about Howard County’s outdoor spaces as resources that can support residents who are experiencing depression and suicidal ideation. As someone who has always leaned arts rather than sports, the idea of running to make you feel better feels counterintuitive to me. To be honest, even getting myself to make walking a habit has been a struggle.

Meme of unknown origin 

And yet it’s absolutely true that physical activity and getting outside can be powerfully healing - - not necessarily all at once, but, little by little. Like most meaningful changes, it takes time. Sometimes you need a friend to help you through or the support of a like minded group to energize you.

This year’s Light Up the Night 5K is for you whether you’re a runner or a walker or just want to donate and/or lend moral support.

Register and learn more about the event: 2nd Annual Light the Night 5K. (I noticed that race packet and T-shirt pickup will be at Feet First in the Wilde Lake Village Center. Remember them?) 

There will be activities for non-runners, suicide prevention resource packets, and fun take-home items such as bracelets and keychains. Cash donations will be accepted at the event.

Join in, and spread the word. 

*****

FYI:

Additional resources for support or if you have thoughts about suicide: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741, and the Trevor Project for LGBTQ+ communities at 1-866-488-7386.

Grassroots operates a 24-hour crisis intervention and supportive counseling hotline; individuals may call 410-531-6677 for a variety of reasons including suicide, family and relationship problems, shelter needs, violent or threatening domestic situations, and more. To learn more, visit https://grassrootscrisis.org.