Suicide is the tenth-leading cause of death in the United States.
It touches millions of lives, and impacts people of all ages, ethnicities and backgrounds. The research is clear, though: Suicide is preventable, and the more people who stand up for suicide prevention and mental health, the more lives we can save.
That’s why the Seneca County Suicide Prevention Coalition is proud to be partnering with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention in hosting an Out of the Darkness Community Walk, which will be held at Sampson State Park on Saturday, October 21, 2018.
“This walk allows us to shine a light on a major health crisis that is not only plaguing our nation, but our small community as well,” Brenda Black explained. Black chairs the committee responsible for coordinating with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention to hold this fall’s event. “We have had quite a few tragic losses in our own community to suicide that have pushed this community in a direction of awareness and prevention. This is an opportunity to come together as a community and support each other, while raising awareness and funds for research and programs in community.”
Margaret Morse, who serves as Director of Community Services for Seneca County expressed her gratitude for the partnership between the County and AFSP to make the Finger Lakes’ first ‘Out of the Darkness’ walk a possibility. “Someone in the US dies by suicide every 16 minutes. All of us have either directly or indirectly been impacted by suicide and/or depression. The Finger Lakes Out of the Darkness Walk is an opportunity for our community to come together to raise awareness on suicide and depression and raise money for research and education to prevent suicide from taking place, as well as to provide assistance and support for survivors of suicide in our community,” Morse explained.
Natalee Carroll, Community Educator for Seneca County shared that gratitude and excitement. “I am very excited that our coalition has partnered with the AFSP and is able to put on an Out of Darkness Walk in our community,” she began. “Like many others, my family has been impacted by suicide and both my mom and sister have participated in Out of Darkness Walks in other states. Since hearing of their experience with the walk — I have wanted to participate myself. It’s a privilege to participate and help organize this event.”
Black added that having the lead funding, education, and research entity associated with suicide prevention has helped shape this process even more. “The AFSP is the leading funder for research and education for suicide prevention in the nation. They have been in the fight for more than 30 years. For Seneca County to have the partnership and guidance of such a well-established, connected and grounded organization that encompasses what we are attempting to do in our small community is crucial in our fight to prevent suicide,” she added. “With their support and guidance, we can go so much further in this fight. We have to use the resources we have and keep building new ones if we are going to make progress; this is how it’s done, by working together.”
Anyone interested in getting involved can visit the official Facebook Page, or visit the walk’s official website by using the links below:
Official Walk Facebook Page
Official Walk Website
If you or anyone you know is struggling with suicide, seek help immediately:
Crisis Text Line: 741741
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1 (800) 273-TALK (8255)
www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
www.projectsemicolon.org
