Hailey Heseltine
ECB Publishing, Inc.
Did you know that suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in the United States? According to the World Health Organization, over 720,000 people's lives are taken due to suicide per year, making it also the third leading cause of death in 15- 29-year-olds. Because of this, the 501(c)(3) nonprofit American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) maintains the mission of lowering these statistics through research-backed prevention, support, outreach, advocacy and educational programs.
In our area, one of the AFSP's most popular annual fundraisers is the Out of the Darkness Walk in Tallahassee. It's one of many walks held nationwide by the AFSP, since the first in 2004. The raised funds are used to support suicide prevention research, creation and distribution of educational programs, advocacy and support, their four focus areas. According to the AFSP, 83 cents out of every dollar are used to directly fund these areas.
Registration is now open for the local Out of the Darkness Walk. It's planned for Saturday, Oct. 3 in Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee (7550 Apalachee Pkwy). The check-in time is 8:30 a.m., and the event start time is 9:30 a.m. Generally, these nationwide walks are only between one and three miles, and not a competitive event. These program additionally includes an opening ceremony, resource tables, complimentary honor beads for every participant and more.
For more information and to register, visit afspwalks.donordrive.com/tallahassee. You may also contact Ann Marie Curry and Jennifer Powell at 850-529-5054 or annmariemoh@hotmail.com for additional info regarding the event.