Stand up for suicide prevention | Centre Daily Times

Suicide is the 10th-leading cause of death in this country. It touches millions of lives — people of all ages, ethnicities and backgrounds — but the research is clear: suicide is preventable, and the more people who stand up for suicide prevention and mental health, the more lives we can save.

If you’ve lost someone to suicide, or you or someone you know suffers from a mental health condition like depression or anxiety, please join us for the Out of the Darkness Walk to fight suicide on Sunday at the Sidney Friedman Park in State College beginning at 11 a.m.

I’m walking for everyone who has been lost to suicide, everyone who survives a loved one lost to suicide, everyone with the lived experience who may have contemplated taking their own life and for my friend, Mick.

Funds raised support the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and its bold goal to reduce the annual suicide rate in the United States 20 percent by 2025 through research, education, advocacy and support. A portion of funds raised remains here in Centre County to conduct prevention and education activities. These walks are truly uplifting experiences and they grow every year. Hope to see you there!

The writer is co-chair for the Central PA Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.