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Overcast Out of the Darkness Walk on Oct. 23 at Jones Beach
Many people have experienced anxiety or a more serious mental health struggle, or have lost a friend or a loved one to suicide. The global lockdown during the coronavirus pandemic shined a spotlight on these issues.
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Out of the Darkness walks aim to spread awareness of a better understanding of mental health and help prevent suicide.
The walks, the foundation’s largest annual fundraising events, take place in all 50 states in September and October. The proceeds — and support from entities like the Cedarhurst-based nonprofit LIFE Trust — fund research, advocacy, education, and support for those who have been affected by suicide.
The New York walk will take place at Jones Beach State Park’s Field 5 on Oct. 23. Of the foundation’s 400-plus walks across the country, Jones Beach is its third-largest fundraising event.
“It really is powerful, because mental health and suicide prevention are not something that people typically talk about,” said Ann Morrison-Pacella, the organization’s Long Island area director. “This is an opportunity to really raise awareness, and have people feel a sense of connectedness to other people.”
According to the foundation, a majority of those who take part in the walks are suicide survivors, have lost loved ones to suicide, are supporting those who are struggling with mental health issues or are struggling themselves.
Andrea Lozito, who works for LIFE Trust, a nonprofit Medicaid pool trust, has battled anxiety and mental health problems since her youth, as did her father and brother. When she was a child, the realm of mental health was stigmatized and not discussed publicly, as it is now. Lozito, 48, wasn’t diagnosed with a mental illness until 2003.
The Oyster Bay native grew up in a household with a father and an ill sister who both died, her father of complications of an autoimmune disease. Her older sister died at age 22 of neurofibromatosis, which was diagnosed when she was 4.
“She probably was the strongest person I knew, especially considering all of the obstacles she faced on a daily basis,” Lozito said. “She was resilient and definitely one of my heroes. I think that also contributed to my mental health and my struggles.”
Finishing high school was difficult for Andrea, but it became easier when she met Joe Lozito in her senior year at Oyster Bay High in 1992. “He went to the library with me if I needed it,” she recalled, “and he just was very supportive, helping me in any way that he could to make sure that I got the work done.” They married five years later, and now have two adult sons.
Lozito passed on college and dived into the working world after she graduated from high school. Then, after her younger son was born, she was diagnosed with postpartum depression that was so severe that she was prescribed medication. Eventually she was found to have clinical depression and panic and anxiety disorder.
Anxiety and depression continue to impact her daily life, Lozito said. “I struggle with self-confidence,” she said. “Some days I just wake up, I open my eyes and I feel anxious. Sometimes I just don’t know why, and that’s just part of the battle. Some days you wake up and you feel like you have an elephant sitting on your chest.”
Coupled with the medication, she said that staying busy, whether it be playing with her puppy or going to the gym, keeps her mental health stable.
LIFE Trust sponsors the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and is supporting a team of employees taking part in next week’s walk, including Lozito and her family.
“We’re really trying to do our best to shatter that stigma of mental health,” Alex Simon, a trust manager at LIFE Trust, said. “This is an issue that’s dear to her heart,” he added of Lozito, “and it’s an issue that affects everyone in some degree or another. We want to get out there and let everyone know that it’s OK to go out and seek help.”
Lozito has taken part in the walk ever since her oldest son, Joey, now 22, was a member of the Key Club at Wellington C. Mepham High School in North Bellmore, which was involved with the walk. After Joey graduated in 2018, his mother remained involved, along with her mother and Andrea’s younger sister.
“I know what it’s like to be in dark places, and when you’re there, it’s heartwarming knowing that you’re not alone, and being able to feel that other people relate,” Lozito said. “I just wanted to be a part of something and feel like I was helping, and helping other people made me feel like I’m not alone in my struggles.”
Those who are interested in signing up for the Out of the Darkness Long Island Walk can contact Ann Morrison-Pacella, at longislandny@afsp.org, or go to afsp.org to register, volunteer or sponsor the event.
