Run for the 132
Donation protected
My name is Colin Lowther and after a long battle with depression while in college, I attempted to take my own life on January 1st, 2020. I was broken, tired, and embarrassed of the way I had been feeling about myself and saw that as the only option for relief. Shortly after my attempt, I spent six days in a psychiatric hospital as I began my road to recovery. During that time I became increasingly frustrated with the stigma surrounding suicide and mental illness as a whole. I created Run for the 132 to spark a conversation and combat the stigma.
Run for the 132 is a year-long fundraising effort to bring awareness to suicide prevention and mental illness. The campaign begins on World Suicide Prevention Day, September 10, 2020, and will culminate in my 132 mile run to commemorate the 132 people who take their lives each day in the United States (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention).
Funds will be split evenly among three organizations: the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), the JED Foundation, and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).
The AFSP is a voluntary health organization that empowers those affected by suicide with a nationwide community built on research, education and advocacy to take action against this leading cause of death. Their community-based approach is important to me because I saw the impact of my suicide attempt on the people in my life. The grieving and recovery process is difficult for family and friends, and the AFSP provides a much needed support system that includes them in the healing process.
https://afsp.org
JED is a nonprofit that works to protect emotional health and to prevent suicide for our nation’s teens and young adults.They partner with high schools and colleges to strengthen their mental health, substance misuse, and suicide prevention programs and systems. They equip teens and young adults with the skills and knowledge to help themselves and each other, and encourage community awareness, understanding and action for young adult mental health. This is something that I personally struggled with while I attended college, so it’s important to me that other young people have access to skills and knowledge to help them through that transition.
https://www.jedfoundation.org
NAMI provides advocacy, education, support and public awareness so that all individuals and families affected by mental illness can build better lives. During my road to recovery, I attended numerous NAMI sponsored support groups which helped me feel less alone and more like myself.
https://www.nami.org/home
I appreciate any encouragement and support as I do my part to break the stigma. Please follow us on Instagram @runforthe132 or Facebook to get involved, shared advice, and ask questions.
Run for the 132 is a year-long fundraising effort to bring awareness to suicide prevention and mental illness. The campaign begins on World Suicide Prevention Day, September 10, 2020, and will culminate in my 132 mile run to commemorate the 132 people who take their lives each day in the United States (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention).
Funds will be split evenly among three organizations: the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), the JED Foundation, and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).
The AFSP is a voluntary health organization that empowers those affected by suicide with a nationwide community built on research, education and advocacy to take action against this leading cause of death. Their community-based approach is important to me because I saw the impact of my suicide attempt on the people in my life. The grieving and recovery process is difficult for family and friends, and the AFSP provides a much needed support system that includes them in the healing process.
https://afsp.org
JED is a nonprofit that works to protect emotional health and to prevent suicide for our nation’s teens and young adults.They partner with high schools and colleges to strengthen their mental health, substance misuse, and suicide prevention programs and systems. They equip teens and young adults with the skills and knowledge to help themselves and each other, and encourage community awareness, understanding and action for young adult mental health. This is something that I personally struggled with while I attended college, so it’s important to me that other young people have access to skills and knowledge to help them through that transition.
https://www.jedfoundation.org
NAMI provides advocacy, education, support and public awareness so that all individuals and families affected by mental illness can build better lives. During my road to recovery, I attended numerous NAMI sponsored support groups which helped me feel less alone and more like myself.
https://www.nami.org/home
I appreciate any encouragement and support as I do my part to break the stigma. Please follow us on Instagram @runforthe132 or Facebook to get involved, shared advice, and ask questions.
Organizer
Colin Lowther
Organizer
Norfolk, VA