Out Of The Darkness: Jacqueline Reategui Interview

By Almira Beganovic

Imagine being an 18 year old and wanting to change the world for a better place and actually doing something about it. Jacqueline Reategui is an 18 year old senior trying to create a better future. She knew how much depression affected people and what comes along with having this disease,the suicidal thoughts or even attempts, but the worst of it all, dying by suicide. So Jacqueline wanted to see less of this happening and more change worldwide.

“Out of the Darkness Community Walks” are just the beginning of a great journey. This organization helps raise awareness for suicide prevention, participates come out for a walk and donate for a greater cause. Walkers do not need to pay to participate, but they are asked to coordinate donations to help the society.  
During Reategui’s sophomore year, she was trying to hold a walk on her own that she wanted to be town-wide and hopefully worldwide one day. She made a website and even met with the townspeople, then a good sign came her way. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention  (AFSP) reached out to her. Sophomore year was just the beginning of Jacqueline’s path to a greater future with this organization.
​ I had sat down with Reategui and asked her how she felt when the AFSP reached out to her.

“It was unexpected and overwhelming.” Jacqueline stated. I can tell how much this organization and being a part of something so powerful has affected someone like her especially started at a young age especially when something as big as AFSP reaches out to you.

This year’s walk will be on Saturday May 19, 2018 from 10:00  until 12:00 PM. Here’s the website if you would like to join or sign up to walk out with a great group of people! 
www.afsp.org/wethersfieldhs or contact Jackie Reategui [email protected] for any further questions. I hope you all get involved to walk “Out of the Darkness.”