When Derek Forster was 18 years old, his mother died by suicide. Then, in 2023, at the age of 46, he found himself volunteering with the Out of the Darkness Community Walk, handing out beads.
To combat suicide, the American Foundation for Suicide Preventions hosted its annual Out of Darkness Community Walk Oct.14 in Frederick’s Baker Park.
Starting in 2004, these walks have remained free for community members to participate in and share their experience with mental health, according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
Walkers followed a trail around Baker Park. Booths from various companies were set up near the bandshell for people to do things such as buy merchandise or obtain beaded necklaces to show their support.
Derek Forster, AFSP volunteer and Frederick County resident, staffed the booth, giving out the Honor Beads that participants can wear to signify how they are connected to the cause.
Blue beads signify you are supporting the cause, purple is the loss of a relative or friend, teal means that a loved one struggles, green means that you are personally struggling, and rainbow beads are worn in support of the LGBTQ+ community. Orange beads signify the loss of a sibling, gold is for the loss of a parent, silver is for the loss of a first responder or military member, red is for the loss of a spouse or partner, and white is for the loss of a child.
It was a personal experience with suicide in his family that made Forster decide to volunteer in the walk and to involve himself in suicide awareness in other areas of his life. When Forster was 18 and in college, his mother died by suicide. He said his struggles moving forward pushed him to advocate for others struggling.
Outside of his volunteering, Forster is a school counselor and students often come to him facing the same struggles his mom had faced. He aims to provide the same support to others that he received.
Forester believes it is important to give others the courage to have conversations. He said his work as a school counselor and life experience has taught him that there is more to life than the struggles one may be facing. Forester wants to be a beacon of light for those around him.
AFSP raises money and awareness for their cause, according to the organization’s website. Everything that the organization offers is free.
If there was one thing that Forester could tell people, it is “Don’t be afraid to ask for help.”
This annual walk is something anyone can participate in in locations nationwide. Volunteer and participant information can be found on the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s website.
Frederick Community College student.