SUNY Adirondack hosts suicide awareness walk

QUEENSBURY, New York (April 17, 2023) − Volunteers from SUNY Adirondack are joining a quarter of a million people walking in towns across the United States for suicide prevention. 

The third annual Out of the Darkness Walk at SUNY Adirondack, hosted by the college’s office of Health and Wellness, will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 29, on the Queensbury campus. 

This walk supports the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s programs and its goal to reduce the annual U.S. rate of suicide 20 percent by the year 2025. 

According to data provided by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States, affecting one in five American families.

“We want to raise awareness of this issue, to help prevent other families from experiencing a suicide loss,” said Holly Irion, licensed mental health counselor and assistant professor of Counseling at SUNY Adirondack. “This walk is a really inspiring way to show that no one is alone in the battle against suicide.”

The Out of the Darkness SUNY Adirondack 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 more than $21 million for suicide prevention — $10,000 locally with more than 100 participants. 

“These walks are about turning hope into action,” said Robert Gebbia, CEO of AFSP. “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.” 

About The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is dedicated to saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide. AFSP creates a culture that’s smart about mental health through education and community programs, develops suicide prevention through research and advocacy, and provides support for those affected by suicide. Led by CEO Robert Gebbia and headquartered in New York, and with a public policy office in Washington, D.C., AFSP has local chapters in all 50 states with programs and events nationwide. Learn more about AFSP in its latest Annual Report, and join the conversation on suicide prevention by following AFSP on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.