The Eugene Emeralds played their final home game of the 2019 season on August 31st. It wouldn’t be until 14 months later that the Ems would take the field at PK Park again. The 2020 Minor League Baseball season was canceled, leaving dozens of communities without their only form of professional sports. Eugene was one of these communities, and because the Emeralds have been a staple of summers in Eugene and Springfield for 66 years, the team’s absence was especially noticeable.

During Tuesday’s game, this local nonprofit will be on hand to help share information, show support for those in need, and spread their message that you are not alone. During the game the group will be selling custom apparel, hosting a silent auction, and having a raffle. All proceeds from the night will be donated back to various Mental Health and Suicide Awareness Programs in Lane County.

This is the second year the Emeralds have teamed up with AWFS. The Emeralds feel it is important for anyone struggling, or know someone who is struggling, that they are stronger than they seem, braver than they believe, smarter than they think, and most importantly, they are loved. This night is a chance to educate, and advocate, for those struggling with Mental Health issues as well as help erase the stigma surrounding it.

A World Free of Suicide is a local nonprofit that was started by Eugene native Carson Lydon. Below is his story explaining why he became and advocate, and why he works to help end the stigma:

My name is Carson Lydon, and I’m an incoming freshman student athlete at the University of Oregon. I recently graduated from Churchill High School. I want to share my story on how my life changed in one day, and why I am so dedicated to making this a world free of suicide. When I was growing up, I remember my dad always telling me “Everyone is born for a reason.” When I was little, I never thought of this as something that would matter to me, but then things changed. On February 14th, 2017, I lost a close family friend to suicide. I remember the day Will Manstrom-Greening left this world like it was yesterday. I remember how I found out, how I felt, and all the questions that came into my head that day. My family, as well as the whole community, was confused as to why a young man made this decision to end his life so early. Weeks passed, and every single day was full of questions, crying and confusion. I realized that day you never truly know what’s going on in someone's life, and that you always need to reach out. This tragic event changed my life. I started to become a different Carson, a Carson that my family and friends didn’t recognize. I began to have feelings of doubt, and the feeling that I was of no use in this world. I had bouts of depression and suicidal ideation. The summer of 2017 was the worst time of my life. A time that I truly felt ALONE.

I started to search the internet and came across American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. At first, I looked only for tools and strategies to make myself feel better. As I was reviewing their site, I came across the “Take Action” tab and there was an event called Out of Darkness Walk in Eugene. After researching it and talking it over with my brother, we both felt that maybe we could get a team together. We wanted to do it to commemorate our friend’s life and maybe it would not only help my brother and I start to heal, but also our friends and family who were also deeply affected by the loss of our friend. We created a team and named it NFWMG (Never Forget Will Manstrom-Greening). After reaching out to family, friends, and social media, our team grew to over 100 people. On October 15, 2017, surrounded by all my friends, family, and strangers, we walked together in our first Out of Darkness walk. At that moment, seeing everyone come together to bring suicide awareness out of the darkness and into the light, I realized that I’m not alone and that was the day my mission became a reality.

Then on May 15th, 2018, the world lost another beautiful soul to suicide. Christine Tofte was the mother of my best friend. When I first heard about Christine’s death, every single emotion I had ever felt came out of a cage and attacked my mind again. I was confused, and I worried for my family and friends. My life felt like it was going sideways again. I remember the weeks following May 15th, it was like a cycle that I could not get out of. School, Baseball, Cry, Repeat. But even though I had been feeling this way, I knew it wouldn’t define me and who I was. About a month later, I asked Christine’s family if they would like me to help commemorate her life. When they said yes, the sadness I felt became my motivation for trying to make not one person feel the way Will & Christine felt. My motivation for this work grew tremendously. That is when I truly knew, I was born for a reason. God put me on this earth to change the world, to positively impact people around me, and to make this A World Free of Suicide. And that’s when my life's goal became to make sure that not one person feels or struggles the same as someone who died by suicide.

On September 30, 2018, A World Free of Suicide, walked to commemorate the lives of both Will & Christine. We had over 300 walkers that day at the Out of Darkness Walk in Eugene. We raised over $21,000 for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Our team raised more money than any other Out of Darkness walk team in the United States. Realizing the impact that I was making and knowing that I had the potential to do much more, I created a 501c3 non-profit organization called A World Free of Suicide.

Many things have transpired over the last few years, and I have had many opportunities to educate and advocate. My high school team, the Churchill Lancers, played against North Eugene in a game to commemorate Christine Tofte. We all wore jerseys specifically designed for Christine. The night was so uplifting because it was an opportunity for the team to show Christine’s son (a Churchill Lancer player) that we are all by his side and support and love him, and that he is never alone. During the game, A World Free of Suicide had an opportunity to advocate for suicide awareness. We received over $510 in donations, and we donated it to the Lane County National Alliance of Mental Illness. Recently, A World Free of Suicide partnered with the Medford Rogues, my collegiate summer team. With the help of the Rogues, A World Free of Suicide was able to fundraise over $7,000 for Suicide Awareness and Mental Health Initiatives. Pre-Game hitting jackets were created, and auctioned off to fans in attendance, with all proceeds going to A World Free of Suicide. This event was powerful and showed that Mental Health is a major issue still in this world, and that communities are starting to fully recognize the problems we all share.

Being aware of suicide is the first step, and as a community we can shine a light on it. I hope this story is another opportunity to educate and advocate for suicide awareness. In closing I want to thank you for taking the time to read my story and learn why mental health awareness is so important to myself and my family. This WORLD can be rid of suicide, but it is going to take every single one of us to STOMP OUT SUICIDE. It’s one thing to talk about it, it’s another thing to take action.

If you need help, or know someone who does, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. This 24/7, free and confidential line provides support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones. Their number is 1-800-273-8255.