Community Comes Together to Fight Suicide
Hundreds of Walks Being Held Nationwide Through December 2016
LOCK HAVEN – Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States, yet suicide is preventable. More than 150 people from throughout Clinton County are expected to participate in the annual Clinton County Out of the Darkness Community Walk at 12 p.m., September 25, 2016 at Riverview Park, Lock Haven. 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 Kathleen Merrill, co-chair Clinton County Out of the Darkness Walk.
The Clinton County Out of the Darkness Walk is one of more than 375 Out of the Darkness Community Walks being held nationwide this year. The walks are expected to unite more than 250,000 walkers and raise millions for suicide prevention efforts.
“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.”
A special thank you from the Clinton County Out of the Darkness Community Walk to P & D Games, Dominos Pizza, 92.1 WSQV, Lock Haven Express, The Record, Joe and Donna Miller, and all those helping to organize this year’s walk.
Register or donate at: http://afsp.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.event&eventID=4245
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is dedicated to saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide. AFSP creates a culture that’s smart about mental health through education and community programs, develops suicide prevention through research and advocacy, and provides support for those affected by suicide. Led by CEO Robert Gebbia and headquartered in New York, and with a public policy office in Washington, D.C., AFSP has local chapters in all 50 states with programs and events nationwide. Learn more about AFSP in its latest Annual Report, and join the conversation on suicide prevention by following AFSP on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
