‘Out of The Darkness’ Walk Set For Nov. 3 Will Raise Awareness, Funds to Fight Suicide

Suicide touches one in five American families

BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States, yet suicide can be prevented. Volunteers from Melbourne are joining the quarter of a million people who are walking across the United States to draw attention to the fight for suicide prevention.

The first annual Brevard County Out of the Darkness Community Walk, hosted by the Central Florida Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, will be held November 3 at 10:30 a.m. at Wickham Park in Melbourne. Check-in and registration start at 9 a.m.

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

“Suicide touches one in five American families,” said Deborah Kofkin, Chairperson of the Brevard County Out of the Darkness Community Walk.

“We hope that by walking, we will draw attention to this issue and keep other families from experiencing a suicide loss. Our ultimate goal is to save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide.”

Anyone interested in participating can register here.

Each walker will set a goal of funds to raise, though anyone – whether they are walking or not – can make a donation.

The Brevard County Out of the Darkness Walk is one of more than 550 walks being held nationwide this year. The walks are expected to unite more than 300,000 walkers and raise millions for suicide prevention efforts. Last year, more than $21 million was raised for suicide prevention.

“These walks are about turning hope into action,” said AFSP CEO Robert Gebbia.

“The research has shown us how to fight suicide, and if we keep up the fight the science is only going to get better, and our culture will get smarter about mental health. With the efforts of our courageous volunteers and a real investment from our nation’s leaders, we hope to significantly reduce the suicide rate in the United States.”

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.

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