ABERDEEN, S.D. (MITCHELLNOW) Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in the United States, yet suicide can be prevented. Volunteers from Aberdeen, Belle Fourche, Huron and Sioux Falls are joining the quarter of a million people who are walking in towns across the United States to draw attention to the fight for suicide prevention.
The annual Out of the Darkness Community Walks, hosted by the South Dakota Chapter, will be held in four cities in September: Aberdeen on Sept. 7, Belle Fourche and Huron both on Sept. 14 and Sioux Falls on Sept. 21.
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 20 percent.
“Suicide touches one in five American families. 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,” said Janet Harvey, Special Events Manager for the Dakotas, American Foundation of Suicide Prevention.
The Sioux Falls Out of the Darkness Community Walk is one of more than 550 Out of the Darkness Overnight, Community and Campus 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, these walks raised over $21 million for suicide prevention. Last year this local walk, raised close to $60,000 and had 500 participants.
“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.”
Local sponsors for the South Dakota Out of the Darkness Walk include many local businesses. We are very grateful for the support, commitment and dedication they have shown in all of our South Dakota communities supporting suicide awareness and prevention.
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.