By Rebecca Barnes, Publisher, Prince William Living
Labor Day weekend is one of those rare times when many of us slow down long enough to spend time with people we don’t see nearly enough. There are cookouts and family gatherings, neighborhood parties, trips, and afternoons with friends. We catch up on children and grandchildren, jobs, vacations, home projects, and everything that has happened since the last time we were together.
Those conversations are part of what makes long weekends special. They are also a reminder of how important it is to stay connected to the people in our lives.
We don’t always know what someone else is going through. A friend may be dealing with stress at work. A relative may be grieving. Someone we know may be struggling with loneliness, anxiety, depression, or another challenge they haven’t talked about. Mental health struggles aren’t always obvious, and we shouldn’t assume we know what another person is experiencing simply by looking at them.
What we can do is make room for real conversations. We can listen. We can check in with someone we haven’t heard from in a while. We can ask how they’re doing and take the time to hear the answer. We can remind the people in our lives that they matter and that asking for help is something we should be able to talk about.
That idea of connection is at the heart of an event happening right here in our community next weekend.
Prince William Walks Together Sept. 12
On Saturday, Sept. 12, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s National Capital Area Chapter will bring the Prince William Out of the Darkness Community Walk to Virginia Gateway in Gainesville.
For 14 years, the Walk has brought people together to remember loved ones, support people who are struggling, raise awareness about mental health and suicide prevention, and raise money to support AFSP’s work. This year’s event also marks the Walk’s move to Virginia Gateway.
“It’s about hope, connection, and saving lives,” Ellen Shannon, executive director of AFSP’s National Capital Area Chapter, told Prince William Living.
People come to the Walk for many different reasons. Some have lost someone they love to suicide. Some have their own lived experience. Some walk beside a friend or family member. Others participate because mental health matters to their employees, their students, their congregation, their patients, or their community.
You don’t need to have a personal connection to suicide to participate. Families, friends, coworkers, students, educators, first responders, veterans, healthcare professionals, businesses, faith communities, and other community organizations are all welcome.
That makes this Labor Day weekend a particularly good time to think about who you might invite to walk with you.
Maybe it’s the friend sitting across from you at a cookout. Maybe your family wants to create a team together. Perhaps your company could invite employees to participate, or your church, nonprofit, neighborhood, or community group could put together a team.
You can also simply register as an individual.
Walking Helps Support a Larger Mission
The Prince William Walk isn’t only about what happens on Sept. 12. AFSP has set a fundraising goal of $85,000 for this year’s event. Money raised through participants, teams, donors, and sponsors helps support suicide prevention research, education, advocacy, and programs for people affected by suicide.
Participants can fundraise individually or create teams, and Ellen says teams tend to be particularly effective fundraisers. People who aren’t able to attend the Walk can still support the effort by making a donation.
Check-in and pre-walk activities begin at 11 a.m. at Virginia Gateway. The opening ceremony begins at 12:30 p.m., and the Walk begins at 1 p.m.
There will be music, resources, opportunities for remembrance, and AFSP’s Honor Beads, which allow participants to recognize their personal connection to the cause. But Ellen describes the overall atmosphere as uplifting. The Walk is designed to create a sense of belonging and to remind people that help, support, and recovery are possible.
Take the Next Step Together
This Labor Day weekend, enjoy the cookout. Take the trip. Sit around the table a little longer. Call the friend you haven’t talked to lately. Spend time with your family.
And while you’re together, remember how much those connections matter.
Then consider taking one more step together next Saturday.
Register yourself, invite someone to join you, create a team, or make a donation to support the Prince William Out of the Darkness Community Walk.
Register, create a team, or donate at afsp.org/PWC.
Prince William Out of the Darkness Community Walk
Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026 afsp.org/PWC?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Virginia Gateway, Gainesville
Check-in and activities: 11 a.m.
Opening ceremony: 12:30 p.m.
Walk: 1 p.m.
If you are in crisis, please call, text, or chat with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988, or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741.
