Wendy Mercer
“I became involved with AFSP after losing my 17-year-old goddaughter, Hannah, to suicide in 2019. I attended my first Out of the Darkness Walk in 2021 in Jacksonville, Florida, with Hannah's mom and family.
It was emotional and eye opening. I hadn't realized so many others in my area had been affected by suicide. Seeing photos of lost loved ones on t-shirts and posters was very impactful. I could see Hannah's mom recognize the pain in other mothers’ eyes. They didn't have to say anything. Just knowing they’d experienced the same type of loss was all they needed to have a mutual understanding of the particular type of pain that comes with suicide. The next year, I was on the Walks committee.
A few weeks later, I volunteered at my first International Survivor of Suicide Loss Day event –– which that year happened to be held at the high school Hannah and both of my sons attended.
Two mothers were there who had lost their sons. One of the mothers had her daughter with her, a young teen who shared about the loss of her older brother, her best friend. I was so moved by these families that I thought to myself, ‘I’m going to do as much as I can to help prevent another family from going through this unimaginable pain.’
Being around others who understand this type of loss is comforting. The guilt and ‘what if’ questions I was feeling were all too well understood by the other attendees.
I became a board member some months later, and so did both of those amazing mothers. We have become what I hope to be lifelong friends.
Volunteering with AFSP reminds me to check on people I know who may be struggling. It has taught me to look out for others, and let them know I am there for them, whenever they need me.”
