Steps to Prevent Suicide

DANBURY, CT- September 11, 2017 – In Connecticut, suicide is the second leading cause of death for ages 10 to 34, a stat that organizers of the Danbury Out of the Darkness Walk want to change.

The walk, sponsored by the Southern Connecticut chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), raises money and awareness to try to help reduce those numbers and save lives. This is the second year for the Danbury walk, which will be held on Sunday, Sept. 17, at Tarrywile Park in Danbury. Online registration at afsp.org/danbury at noon Friday, Sept. 15, but participants can register on-site the morning of the walk beginning at 9:00 a.m. The event will begin at 10:30 a.m. until 12 p.m. This fundraising walk supports the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s local and national education and advocacy programs and its bold goal to reduce the annual rate of suicide 20 percent by 2025.

“We walk to raise awareness about this important health issue. Suicide touches one in five American families. We hope that by walking we save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide,” said Kim Cutro, AFSP Walk Committee Chair.

Out of the Darkness walks are held nationwide, bringing together loved ones of those who have died and those who have had thoughts of suicide or who have attempted suicide. Anyone who wants to support suicide prevention is invited to participate.

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention reports that suicide is the 12th leading cause of death for people of all ages in Connecticut. AFSP is a national nonprofit organization that works to prevent suicide through research, education and advocacy.

Money raised from the walks also will help provide suicide-prevention programs to schools and community organizations for free. AFSP’s Talk Saves Lives program covers the general scope of suicide, the research on prevention, and what people can do to fight suicide.

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.