By Kate Hill
Staff Writer
Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States.
In Madison County, the rate of suicide exceeds that of New York State and the country as a whole.
Spreading knowledge about the warning signs of suicide and ways to get help can save lives.
On Sunday, Sept. 8, volunteers from Madison County will join a quarter of a million people across the nation walking to support suicide prevention efforts.
The annual Madison County Out of the Darkness Community Walk — presented by volunteers of the Suicide Prevention Coalition of Madison County — will start at 10 a.m. at Jim Marshall Farms, 1978 New Boston St., Chittenango.
The Out of Darkness Walk supports the work of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) and its mission to reduce the annual U.S. rate of suicide by 20 percent by 2025.
The local event is one of more than 550 Out of the Darkness Overnight, Community and Campus Walks scheduled across the county this year.
In 2019, the walks are expected to unite more than 300,000 individuals and raise millions of dollars for AFSP to invest in research; to create educational programs; to advocate for public policy; and to support those affected by suicide.
Last year, the walks raised over $21 million.
Founded in 1987, AFSP is a voluntary health organization with local chapters in all 50 states.
“These walks are about turning hope into action,” said AFSP CEO Robert Gebbia in a press release. “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.”
BRiDGES Madison County Council on Alcoholism & Substance Abuse, Inc. has been the lead organization of the Suicide Prevention Coalition of Madison County since 2012.
The coalition works to raise awareness and reduce the rate of suicide by organizing trainings, delivering resource materials, hosting speakers and supporting survivors of suicide.
Members of the coalition are currently working to develop a comprehensive strategic plan for suicide prevention in Madison County.
BRiDGES has assisted volunteers in organizing the local walk since 2014.
This year, the event is co-chaired by Maureen Campanie, associate director of BRiDGES, and Kathleen Liedka, parent advisor at the New York State Office of Mental Health.
The volunteers hope to see more than 100 walkers and to meet their fundraising goal of $5,000.
”As a person who lost two family members to suicide, the walk has been a great source of healing,” Campanie said. “To know that you are not alone, that you are surrounded by others who share in your feelings and experience, and to be so supported is one of the most important feelings after such a loss. The Madison County Out of the Darkness Community Walk provides the opportunity to join others and bring suicide loss out of the darkness.”
For more information on the Madison County Out of the Darkness Community Walk, contact Campanie at 315-697-3947 or at [email protected].
On-site registration will begin at 9 a.m.
Pre-register or donate online at afsp.donordrive.com.
The event is free and open to the public. Donations will be accepted until Dec. 31.
If you are struggling with thoughts of suicide, call the Suicide Prevention Helpline at 1-800-273-8255 or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org.
