Junior Taylor Ryan, studying nonprofits and social change, embarked on a volunteering journey with The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) following her mother’s death by suicide in 2017. Since then, she has spearheaded numerous campaigns under the banner name “Team Sabrina” in honor of her late mother, Sabrina Jones. Through these initiatives, she champions mental health awareness and suicide prevention in collaboration with AFSP.
On Sunday, April 14, Ryan led her second Out of the Darkness Campus Walk at the USC Village Great Lawn hosted by the AFSP. Despite the rain, advocates showed their support for the campaign by participating in on-site activities, such as an honor bead ceremony where participants wear different colored bead bracelets based on their connection to the lost loved one to share messages of hope.
“Today’s super fulfilling, seeing everyone that has come together, put their hearts and heads together, planning such a big day,” Ryan said. Today is just to remind everybody that it’s okay to lean on your peers and to talk about your problems with those around you”
Ryan has led other Out of the Darkness Walks in her hometown Nebraska, Santa Monica and USC. Last year she led the USC Out of the Darkness Campus Walk sharing her experience as a student speaker and volunteer. This year she took the position of a campus walk chair where she had control of the campus community outreach to offer an inclusive walk for all communities around campus. The event was in partnership with Red Bull, USC Hillel, The American Cancer Society, Didi Hirsch, Men Across America, and many mental health organizations on campus.
Asha Adley, a sophomore studying Urban Studies and Planning met Taylor Ryan her freshman year, was impacted with her mission and was inspired to advocate for “Team Sabrina” during the walk.
“It’s really nice having a team on campus that is so loudly an advocate for suicide prevention. Having something smaller, more centered, and personal creates a comfortable space for people.”
Ryan’s “Team Sabrina” campaign also brings awareness to the stigmas surrounding mental health. Junior, Maggie Kolchira, studying Global Health on the Pre-Med track, explains her experience with stigmas as she shared her journey with mental health as the student speaker for this year’s Out of the Darkness Walk.
She explains, “I want to erase the stigma behind suicide. I always heard from my friends that I’m a very bubbly, happy person. But that doesn’t mean that I don’t have my own struggles. It’s really important to recognize that people can be both, and we have our cycles, and we need to be there for each other to help us get back up.”
Kolchira shares that getting to the point of becoming a speaker is a major milestone in her journey. She wants to inspire others going through mental health struggles to build the courage to be vulnerable.
“Creating a space where you can be vulnerable and share your struggles is what saved me. I was able to open up about my struggles and by doing so I was able to find the help that I needed.”
Andrea Guzman, an AFP programs manager for the LA chapter explains the importance of campus walks.
“Everyone has their own story, their own connection. Our Out of the Darkness Walks are a chance to be in a community space and an important reminder that regardless of your story, you are not alone.”
Ryan carried the AFSP banner with “Team Sabrina” across the village campus being the top fundraising team for the second year in a row, raising over $5,000. Overall, Ryan was able to successfully reach her $15,000 fundraising goal to AFSP.
If you are having thoughts of suicide, text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or text TALK to 741-741. You can also visit www.afsp.org/resources for more resources.