Heather Ainsley
reporter3.riverbendnews@gmail.com
On Saturday, Nov. 9, North Florida residents will gather in Cascades Park in Tallahassee, Fla. to participate in the 2024 Tallahassee Out of the Darkness Community Walk. This event is promoted each year by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) to advocate for those who struggle with suicidal ideations or whose lives have been impacted by suicide. The walk also serves as a fundraiser for AFSP as well as a connection for other organizations to fundraise their charity programs.
Donations collected through fundraisers like this one are used by the AFSP to fund research for suicide prevention, create and distribute education programs, advocate for public policy and help support survivors of suicide loss. Their goal is to reduce the annual suicide rate by 20 percent by 2025.
September is National Suicide Prevention Month. Currently, suicide is the third leading cause of death among 15 to 29 year olds, according to the World Health Organization. Suicide prevention is a public health concern that can be greatly impacted with an active public health response. By building a clear understanding of the causes and factors that contribute to suicidal thoughts and actions, as well as advocating for public access to mental health resources within communities, citizens can significantly improve outreach to at-risk members of their communities.
Registration for the Tallahassee Out of the Darkness Community Walk is now open. To register, visit afsp.org/tallahassee. For more information about resources connected with suicide prevention, visit afsp.org.
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal feelings or ideations, call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline today by calling or texting 988 or chat online at 988lifeline.org. You are not alone.