The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) will host their sixth annual Out of the Darkness Community Walk at Texas Tech University’s Urbanovsky Park. Proceeds will benefit local and national suicide prevention efforts.

Walk Chairs Mariah Williams and Amber Stafford are coordinating the event. They said suicide is 100 percent preventable and we all play an important role in saving lives.

“Suicide doesn’t discriminate. It affects all walks of life. And one way we can show the community we are taking a stand, is through our annual walk. There, people can experience not only healing, but also hope and see that together, we have the power to put an end to suicide,” said Williams. Walk participants are encouraged to check in at noon to enjoy food, activities, live music, merchandise booths, and resource booths. The remembrance ceremony, honoring loved ones, will begin at 2 p.m., followed by a three mile walk.

Registration is free. All students, community members, and people friendly dogs are invited to attend. To signup, visit outofthedarkness.org and search Lubbock, Texas.

“The Lubbock walk is proof that when people work together, they can make big changes that have lifesaving benefits,” said Stafford.

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 Lubbock on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

(News release from Lubbock Out of the Darkeness)