Annual Out of the Darkness Walk Takes Place September 16
According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, suicide claims more lives than war, murder, and natural disasters combined. Records show there are 3.5 male suicides for every female suicide, but three times as many females as males attempt suicide, and that as a society, we lose 20 veterans to suicide every day.
Suicide prevention starts with everyday heroes like you. On Saturday, September 16, choose to fight suicide and raise awareness about mental health by joining the Out of the
Darkness Suicide Awareness Walk. The event takes place at Newport News Park, 13560 Jefferson Ave. in Newport News. Check-in and registration begin at 10:00 a.m., the Welcome Ceremony is at 10:30 a.m. and the walk starts at 11:00 a.m.
Online registration closes at noon the Friday before the walk; however, anyone who would like to participate can register in person at the walk from the time check-in begins until the walk starts. For more information about the walk contact Letitia Laurien at 757-240-9497 or by email
info@letitialaurien.com.
For those interested in contributing to the awareness campaign, walk donations are accepted until December 31. Funds raised at the walks benefit the
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention to invest in new research, create educational programs, advocate for public policy, and support survivors of suicide loss. If you or someone you know is in crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).