Out of the Darkness Walk to Prevent Suicide

In the United States, a person dies by suicide every 14.2 minutes, claiming more than 36,000 lives each year. It is estimated that an attempt is made every minute, with close to one million people attempting suicide annually. Suicide is the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S. among adults 18-65, the second leading cause of death among teens and young adults, and individuals ages 65 and older account for 16 percent of all suicide deaths. This is a public health issue that does not discriminate by age, gender, ethnicity, or socio-economic status.

Please join the Northeast Ohio chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) for its annual Out of the Darkness Community Walk on Saturday, Sept. 8 at 1 p.m. at Wade Oval in University Circle. Check-in begins at 11:30 a.m.

The Out of the Darkness Community Walk funds research aimed at improving our understanding of suicide and ways to prevent it as well as educational programs to increase awareness about prevention, warning signs and the psychiatric illnesses that can lead to suicide.

There is no registration fee or minimum fundraising requirement, however, individuals wishing to support the cause and receive a 2012 Walk T-shirt are asked to raise $150.  Registration is available online at www.outofthedarkness.org.