Movement of a Quarter of a MIllion People Joined by Local Participants in Charlotte
Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States, yet suicide can be prevented. Volunteers from Charlotte, NC are joining the quarter of a million people walking in towns across the United States to draw attention to the fight for suicide prevention. The annual Charlotte Out of the Darkness Community Walk hosted by the NC Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) will be held at 2 PM at Romare Bearden Park in uptown Charlotte. The supports AFSP’s education and support programs and its bold goal to reduce the annual US suicide rate 20% by the year 2025.
“Suicide touches more than one in five American families. We hope that by walking, we will draw attention to this issue and keep other families from experiencing a suicide loss. Our ultimate goal is to save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide,” said Emily Lupsor, AFSP NC volunteer and Charlotte walk co-chair.
The Charlotte Out of the Darkness Community Walk is one of more than 550 Out of the Darkness Overnight, Community, and Campus Walks being held nationwide this year. The walks are expected to unite more than 300,000 walkers and raise millions for suicide prevention efforts. Last year these walks raised over $21 million for suicide prevention. Last year’s Charlotte walk raised over $140,000 and had nearly 1,400 participants.
Speakers at the Charlotte Out of the Darkness Community Walk will include local media personalities, public officials, and individuals personally impacted by suicide. Local mental health resources will also be shared.
“These walks are about turning hope into action,” said AFSP CEO Robert Gebbia. “The research has shown us how to fight suicide, and if we keep up the fight, the science is only going to get better and our culture will get smarter about mental health. With the efforts of our courageous volunteers, and a real investment from our nation’s leaders, we hope to significantly reduce the suicide rate in the United States.”
Local sponsors for the Charlotte Out of the Darkness Walk include: Bank of America, Lumos Data Centers, Cardinal Innovations, Allen Tate Realty, Atrium Health, Monarch, Novant Health, Black Bear Vacations, Extended Stay America, Life and Wellness, Presbyterian Psychological Services, Southeast Psych, SPARC, Sola Counseling, Charlotte Checkers, Hopeway, Mental Health Association of the Central Carolinas, Stateline, Rockhouse Events, Vitality Center, and Old School 105.3.
For more information or to donate, please click here: https://afsp.donordrive.com/
