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Walkers will meet at the campus clocktower Saturday, Oct. 15 at 1 p.m. for the annual walk to support the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. For more information contact either Dr. Dani McKinney at or Joyce Harvard Smith. |
On Saturday, Oct. 15, SUNY Fredonia will host the 8th Annual “Out of the Darkness” walk to benefit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) which begins at 1 p.m. at the campus clock tower at the corner of University Parkway and Symphony Circle.
The three mile walk is open to both the campus and Fredonia community, and those interested can pre-register and also donate online. Registration is free and available online until Oct. 14. In person registration is also available at noon the day of the walk. Donations will be accepted online until Dec. 31.
Last year, over 400 students, faculty and community members participated in the annual walk which rose over $5,000. This year’s goal has been set at $6,000.
“Given the recent Rodemeyer tragedy in Amherst which has resulted in national headlines, it’s more important than ever that our campus continues to do our part in this important area,” said Dr. Dani McKinney, a SUNY Fredonia psychology professor and advisor to the Psychology Club. “Educating people to recognize signs of depression, and making sure people dealing with depression know of the many forms of help that are within reach, can often be the difference literally between life and death.”
“Out of the Darkness” is sponsored by the Psychology Club, the Pride Alliance, the Volunteer and Community Services Office, other various student groups, and members of the faculty, staff and local community.
AFSP is the leading non-profit organization exclusively dedicated to understanding and preventing suicide through funding research, developed prevention initiatives and offering educational programs for survivors of suicide victims, professionals, and the public.
Suicide is the third leading cause of death among 15 to 24 year-olds, and the second major cause of death among college students. Since 2000, the AFSP has invested in over $10 million in new studies, including research into treatments for people who are depressed and suicidal. The AFSP Foundation also offers survivor initiatives that include “International Survivors of Suicide Day”.
More than 200 “Out of the Darkness” community walls will take place across the country this fall. Since 2004, the first year for these walks, participants and sponsors across the country have raised $12 million for the cause.
