OUT OF THE DARKNESS
Communitymembers encouraged to walk for suicide prevention on Saturday
This year, the anxiety, social isolation and economic stress caused by the COVID-19 crisis has caused suicide rates to spike across the nation.
Fif ty- six percent of Americans report that the pandemic is harming their mental health, and one in four young adults, ages 18 to 24, said they’ve considered suicide because of the pandemic, according to a U. S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study.
To draw attention to the suicide prevention movement, community members are invited to take part in the Out of the Darkness Michigan Experience, hosted by the Michigan Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, on Saturday, Sept. 26.
“Suicide touches one in five American families. By connecting and sharing our stories with each other, we will keep going in the fight to stop suicide,” said Corbin Standley, board chairman of the Michigan chapter. “Together, our community sends the message that you are never alone, that healing is possible, and when we connect, we create hope. Together we keep going.”
The virtual opening ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. and will be livestreamed at facebook.com/AFSPMichigan. Fox 2 news anchor Amy Andrews will be the emcee, and local country music star Matt Austin will perform during the event.
After the ceremony, around 10:40 a.m., teams will walk in neighborhoods and parks across the state, all at the same time, in honor of those who have lost their lives to suicide. Proceeds from this event will support the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s educational programs and its goal to reduce the annual U. S. rate of suicide.
Participants are encouraged to take photos during their walk and share videos about why Out of the Darkness is important to them. Use the hashtags #MIExperience and #MIHope on social media for a chance to be featured on the organization’s Facebook and Instagram pages.
Those who raise $150 or more by the day of the event will receive an Out of the Darkness T- shirt. The names of the top five donors will be listed on the back of the shirts. To donate or register for this event, visit bit.ly/outofdarkness2020.