Submitted by Eileen Bochsler for the Olympia Out of the Darkness Community Walk
Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States, yet suicide is preventable. More than 200 people from throughout the Olympia area are expected to participate in the annual Out of the Darkness Community Walk at 10:0 a.m., Saturday, September 12, 2015 at Marathon Park. This fundraising walk supports the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s (AFSP) local and national programs and its bold goal to reduce the annual rate of suicide twenty percent by 2025.
“We walk to support those who suffer from mental health conditions and raise the money for research and prevention programs that will save lives,” said Grace Finch, Washington State Area Director, AFSP.
The Olympia Out of the Darkness Walk is one of more that 350 Out of the Darkness Community Walks being held nationwide this fall. The walks are expected to unite more that 150,000 walkers and raise millions or suicide prevention efforts.
“These walks are about turning hope into action,” said AFSP CEO Robert Gebbia. “Suicide is a serious problem, but it’s a problem we can solve. The research has shown us how to fight suicide, and if we keep up the fight the science is only going to get better, our culture will get smarter about mental health, and we’ll be able to save more people from dying from depression and other mental health conditions.”
Local AFSP sponsors for the Olympia Out of the Darkness Walk include Providence Health and Services Southwest Washington, Good Therapy and Batdorf & Bronson.
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention leads the fights against suicide. We fund research, offer educational programs, advocate for public policy, and support those affected by suicide. Led by CEO Robert Gebbia and headquartered in New York, AFSP has 75 local chapters with programs and events nationwide. Join the national conversation on suicide prevention by following AFSP on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
