Community walk in San Luis Obispo raises funds for suicide research
Nationwide walks expected to unite more than 25,000 walkers
– More than 300 people from throughout San Luis Obispo County are expected to participate in the annual San Luis Obispo Out of the Darkness Community Walk on Oct. 8 in Mission Plaza at 10 a.m. This fundraising walk supports the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s local and national education and advocacy programs and its bold goal to reduce the annual rate of suicide 20 percent by 2025.
“We walk to raise awareness about this important health issue,” Area Director Traute Winters said. Suicide touches one in five American families. We hope that by walking we save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide.”
The San Luis Obispo Out of the Darkness Walk is one of more than 375 Out of the Darkness Community Walks being held nationwide this year. The walks are expected to unite more than 250,000 walkers and raise millions for suicide prevention efforts. Last year, the San Luis Obispo Walk raised more than raised over $27,000 and had more than 415 participants.
Speakers at the San Luis Obispo Out of the Darkness Walk will include loss and attempt survivors and representatives from local mental health organizations.
“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.”
For more information on the walk or to sign up, visit afsp.org/slo
