Volunteers to Walk to Fight Suicide Statewide
Volunteers to Walk to
Fight Suicide Statewide
Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in the United States, yet suicide can be prevented. Volunteers from Aberdeen, Belle Fourche, Huron and Sioux Falls are joining the quarter of a million people who are walking in towns across the United States to draw attention to the fight for suicide prevention.
The annual Out of the Darkness Community Walks, hosted by the South Dakota Chapter, will be staged in four cities in September. They are Aberdeen on Saturday, September 7; Belle Fourche and Huron both on Saturday, September 14, and Sioux Falls on Saturday, September 21.
The walk supports the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s (AFSP) education and support programs and its bold goal to reduce the annual U.S. rate of suicide 20 percent.
“Suicide touches one in five American families. We hope that by walking we will draw attention to this issue and keep other families from experiencing a suicide loss. Our ultimate goal is to save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide,” said Janet Harvey, special events manager for the Dakotas, AFSP.
The Sioux Falls Out of the Darkness Community Walk is one of more than 550 Out of the Darkness Overnight, Community and Campus Walks being staged nationwide this year. The walks are expected to unite more than 300,000 walkers and raise millions for suicide prevention efforts. Last year, these walks raised more than $21 million for suicide prevention. Last year the Sioux Falls walk, raised close to $60,000 and had 500 participants.
“These walks are about turning hope into action,” said Robert Gebbia, AFSP CEO. “The research has shown us how to fight suicide, and if we keep up the fight, the science is only going to get better and our culture will get smarter about mental health. With the efforts of our courageous volunteers, and a real investment from our nation’s leaders, we hope to significantly reduce the suicide rate in the United States.”
The AFSP creates a culture that centers on mental health through education and community programs, develops suicide prevention through research and advocacy and provides support for those affected by suicide. Headquartered in New York, AFSP has local chapters in all 50 states with programs and events nationwide.
