The public is invited to participate in the 2nd annual Hopkinsville Out of the Darkness Community Walk in Hopkinsville Sunday to fight suicide and shine a light on available resources to assist with depression and mental illness. The walk supports the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s education and support programs and its bold goal to reduce the annual U.S. rate of suicide 20 percent by the year 2025.
Event co-chair Mary Underwood, a board member on the foundation’s Kentucky Chapter, tells the News Edge the walk is an effort to raise funds to help fight suicide and shine a light on available resources.
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Each year, Underwood adds suicide claims more lives than war, murder and natural disasters combined but suicide prevention doesn’t receive near the funding as other leading causes of death.
She says it is up to walkers to raise funds for this cause and make a difference.
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According to Underwood, they are hoping to raise $10,000.
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In addition, they will have a silent auction at the event.
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She says all of the funds raised will go to research, education, and prevention, advocacy and public policy and support.
Underwood says registration for the walk will be held Sunday afternoon at 2:30 at Virginia Park located at the corner of 9th and Campbell Streets.
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She adds Kona Ice and DJ’s Lemonade also will be on-site with refreshments available for purchase.
Underwood says the walk is a good way for people with a shared experience to support each other, let them know they are not alone and that there is hope and support for them.
Last year, over 550 Out of the Darkness Walks took place in communities and on campuses across the United States and were attended by a quarter of a million people dedicated to raising funds for suicide prevention.
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