Out of the Darkness walk supports suicide prevention

Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States, yet suicide is preventable. Many walkers are expected to participate in the annual Springfield Out of the Darkness Community Walk hosted by the Vermont Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Saturday, Sept. 22 at Toonerville Trail in Springfield.

This fundraising walk supports the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s local and national education and advocacy programs and its bold goal to reduce the annual rate of suicide 20 percent by 2025.

“We walk to raise awareness about this important health issue. Suicide touches one in five American families. We hope that by walking we save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide,” said Candy Fox, AFSP Vermont Chapter Board Chair.

The Springfield Out of the Darkness Walk is one of more than 450 Out of the Darkness Community Walks being held nationwide this year. The walks are expected to unite more than 350,000 walkers and raise millions for suicide prevention efforts. Last year, the Springfield walk raised nearly $6,000 for suicide prevention efforts in our communities and had over 100 participants.

“These walks are about turning hope into action,” said AFSP CEO Robert Gebbia. “Suicide is a serious problem, but it’s a problem we can solve. The research has shown us how to fight suicide, and if we keep up the fight the science is only going to get better, our culture will get smarter about mental health, and we’ll be able to save more people from dying from depression and other mental health conditions.”

Be an everyday hero in the fight against suicide; register to walk or donate today by visiting www.afsp.org/SpringfieldVT or contacting the Vermont AFSP Chapter at 413-387-3770. Check in begins at 9 a.m. at Toonerville Trail, Clinton St. in Springfield, and the walk begins at 10 a.m.