The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention will be hosting their Mississippi Gulf Coast: Out of the Darkness Walk on Saturday, September 16.
It is estimated that 44,000 Americans die by suicide each year, according to afsp.org. The AFSP plans to decrease that number through their awareness walks.
The walk begins at 9:30 at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum and will cross over Highway 90 to the boardwalk and walk east on the boardwalk until the boardwalk ends. The route will then turn around and walk back to the Coliseum. The total distance is 1.5 miles.
Registration will begin at 8 a.m. and online registration will close Friday at noon.
“When you walk in the Out of the Darkness Walks, you join the effort with hundreds of thousands of people to raise awareness and funds that allow AFSP to invest in new research, create educational programs, advocate for public policy, and support survivors of suicide loss”, according to the foundation’s website. Ten names of registered walkers will be drawn at the end of the walk, and they will each win a prize bag.
If you are unable to walk, but would like to still donate you may do so on their website. The foundation encourages participants to use the hashtag #OutoftheDarkness on their social media outlets.
For more information about the walk, call Teresa Danko at 228-8610-6068.
