Suffolk County Community College announced on Apr. 13 that it will hold its 10th Annual Out of the Darkness Walk in support of suicide prevention and mental health awareness on Saturday, May 2 at the Ammerman Campus in Selden.
The event is open to community members, with check-in beginning at 9:30 a.m. and the walk starting at 10 a.m. at Veterans Plaza. The walk is part of a national initiative organized by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and brings together students, faculty, staff, loss survivors, advocates, and others affected by mental health challenges.
This year marks a decade since Suffolk County Community College began hosting this event. The college reports that since 2017 it has raised over $100,000 for suicide prevention efforts through these walks and last year ranked fourteenth nationally among participating groups in funds raised.
Alongside the walk itself, Suffolk’s Offices of Mental Health and Wellness Services and Veteran Services will focus attention on suicide prevention within the veteran community. Activities planned include the “22 Push-Up Challenge”—a demonstration meant to raise awareness about veteran suicides—and providing access to resources such as the national “988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.” Organizers encourage people of all ages from across Long Island to attend or participate in support of mental health awareness.
Media opportunities during the event will include opening remarks, participant teams with signage, coverage of challenge activities like push-ups for veterans’ causes, as well as interviews with organizers and participants.
