Skidmore to host fundraiser for suicide prevention

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.» Skidmore College will host hundreds for its first Out of the Darkness Walk Sunday, beginning at 1:30 p.m. at the Case Center Green.

The event is a fundraiser for American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

Heidi Wright recently joined the counseling center after years at the state University of New York at Albany. While there, Wright hosted several suicide awareness walks, which is why it was a no brainer to continue at Skidmore.

“We’re talking about students having problems with being able to stabilize their emotions, and seeing more and more of going to this extreme place of feeling like there’s no other choice but thinking about ending their life or attempting to end their life or injuring themselves,” Wright said. “It’s on the rise.”

The event’s opened to the public, with U.S. Rep. Paul D. Tonko, D-Amsterdam, offering thoughts during an opening ceremony.

“I have had Paul Tonko come to speak at these events before, and he does so much with mental health policy,” Wright said. “... I think it will be really impactful for students to have someone local, someone personable talking about real changes that he has made and is hoping to make.”

It’s free to register, which can be done in person. There is, however, an opportunity to donate to the Capital Region of New York Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Money donated goes directly to support groups for survivors, research efforts, a suicide prevention gatekeeper training and an Interactive Screening Program, which happens on college campuses throughout the country.

“You reach out to people via e-mail and ask them to participate in a mental health survey, and it targets high-risk groups that might not come into a counseling center,” Wright said. “They score a certain score and then you go into an interactive conversation with them over the Internet, and it’s completely anonymous.”

The goal of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is to reduce the annual suicide rate 20 percent by 2025.

The walk is designed to be a journey of remembrance, hope and support for those whose lives have been impacted by suicide. At the event, different colored beaded necklaces will be available for walkers: red for the loss of a spouse; white for the loss of a child; silver for a military loss; gold for the loss of a parent; green for a personal struggle and orange for the loss of sibling.