I’m Austin Johnson and on Saturday February 20th I will be running a 2.5 mile loop for 24 hours to raise money for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.  The facts: -Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States. -Mental health issues, depression and anxiety are on the rise due to the lasting effects of COVID19. -In Japan, more people committed suicide in the month of October than there were deaths from COVID in all of 2020. -White males accounted for 69.67% of suicide deaths in 2018. -In 2018 Suicide was the second leading cause of death among individuals between the ages of 10 and 34, and the fourth leading cause of death among individuals between the ages of 35 and 54. -In 2018 there were more than two and a half times as many suicides (48,344) in the United States as there were homicides (18,830). -Suicide rates have climbed every year in the United States since 1999, increasing 35 percent in the past two decades. -During this global pandemic we have seen a rise in alcohol consumption, anxiety, depression, unemployment, homelessness, domestic violence, post-traumatic stress disorder and drug use. All of which put an individual with a mental health disorder at an elevated risk of suicide. -74.9% of young adults 18-24 are dealing with one or more mental health disorders or drug abuse. -Adults 25-44 are at over 50%. People all around are slowly dying, silent and alone, too afraid and too ashamed to ask for help.  Since the COVID pandemic arrived in early 2020 there has been an uptick in anxiety, fear, hopelessness, unemployment, isolation, drug and alcohol use. A true recipe for disaster.  On February 20th I will be running to bring awareness to those hurting and suffering from the underlying effects of this current time and climate. Through this 24 hour run I hope to bring to light meaningful thought and conversation regarding the stigmas around Mental health, Depression and suicide. There is nothing embarrassing, shameful or wrong  about reaching out for help. And as a man, true masculinity is shown in the ability to expose yourself to others and to draw strength from your weaknesses.  I have felt the dark shadow of depression creeping over me since I was an adolescent. It followed me into my early adulthood and it wasn't until I hit my lowest point in November 2019 that I finally sought help. I was diagnosed with Major (Clinical) Depression and Anxiety, something I knew I had been living with most of my life, but I never felt the need to put a name or a diagnosis to it. Depression had always taken me to low and dark places, but always a place I could manage. In 2019 I was in a place where I no longer felt I had control in the deep and dark waters depression was sinking me in. I knew if I did not seek help immediately I was on a one way road to tragedy. So, I did what I know best- I ran! My journey into ultra endurance stems from my battles with depression. I have learned to take the dark energy I once let consume and command me, and use it for good. There is so much power and strength in all of that nasty and negative, energy and emotion and I hope that this run inspires just one person struggling with depression or mental illness to to find the courage to take that hard first step, reach out for help and to keep pushing forward. One step at a time. Would you consider making a pledge of $.50 , $1.00 or another amount, for every mile that you believe I will run in 24 hours? The goal of this fundraising event is to raise ATLEAST $2,000 for Suicide Prevention. All donations will be  transferred from Gofundme directly to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. I sincerely thank you for supporting me on this journey and for your support of this cause. I pray that this fundraiser leads to the saving and bettering of even just one life. THANK YOU SO MUCH!! The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) is dedicated to saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide. For more information about American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, check out their website at the link below: <a href="https://afsp.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><a href="https://afsp.org/" target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://afsp.org/</a></a>  24 Hour National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 800-273-8255

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