from the back cover

Mental Health issues have long been stigmatized, with those facing them pushed into the shadows, often unable to deal with the darkness they find themselves trapped in.
In this collection, stories explore many types of darkness – Suicidal Ideation, Death from Suicide, Survivor’s Guilt, PTSD, Chronic Pain, Chronic Illness, Depression, Death of a Loved One, Secrets, Bullying, and other forms of darkness are explored. Some related to mental health issues and some not, but all of them offer very human perspectives. As in real life, some stories have happy endings and sadly others don’t.
We offer these stories of darkness without judgement, but with hope and compassion. Some roads should never have to be traveled – but we understand that for many they are being traveled alone.
Proceeds from sales of Out of the Darkness will be donated to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention – for more information on AFSP please visit their website at: afsp.org
For those who may be in crisis - PLEASE call or text 988 to connect directly to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. For those outside the US please connect with your local lifeline.

by STeven lente: A good day gone bad (excerpt), page 9

"After touring in Vietnam in 1971, Johnny Cash said (and I paraphrase), “servicemen and prisoners have much in common…loneliness, separation from standard society, and camaraderie with others who share the same fate.” One year later, President Richard Nixon called Cash to perform at the White House, and Johnny’s two encore songs were “The Man in Black” and “The Ballad of Ira Hayes.” Nixon was not impressed.

"Nixon resigned from the presidency in August three years later, but my friend John Hanscom had killed himself by then. John’s death affected me more than the President’s departure, and in some sense, I still blame Nixon. John might be alive today if Tricky Dick had focused on ending the war during his first term rather than scamming his way into a second."