Fight Suicide Through Chatham's 'Out Of The Darkness' Walk

CHATHAM, NJ - Continuing efforts to raise awareness of suicide prevention Chatham Township will host its 4th Annual Chatham Township Out of the Darkness Community Walk on Saturday, Sept. 21.

The walk is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. and will benefit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). The event, which has attracted hundreds of participants from Morris, Essex, Union, and Somerset counties, will take place, rain or shine, at Cougar Field located at 320 Shunpike Road in Chatham Township.

“Each year nearly 45,000 Americans die by suicide. It is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States, and the 11th leading cause of death overall in New Jersey. The School District of the Chathams has reported in their Critical Issues in Student Wellness report that more than 100 high school students and 50 middle school students had seriously considered attempting suicide," Walk Co-Chair Curt Ritter said. "The time to act is now, and we hope that our ongoing efforts to shine a bright light on this important issue will help bring greater awareness of suicide prevention and raise much needed funds for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. I encourage everyone to join us this September to help fight suicide.”

Walk Co-Chair Anthony LoPorto said they are grateful for the support of the community.

"They helped to make the Chatham Township Walk one of the largest Out of the Darkness Walks in New Jersey raising nearly $250,000 over the past three years,” he said.

The Chatham Township Out of the Darkness Walk is one of more than 375 Out of the Darkness Community Walks being held nationwide this year. Hundreds of individuals from throughout Morris, Essex, and Union counties are expected to participate in the Chatham Township Walk, which will supports the AFSP’s local and national education and advocacy programs and its bold goal to reduce the annual rate of suicide 20 percent by 2025.

As part of its efforts to educate and inform its resident on suicide awareness and prevention, Chatham Township has hosted a series of community forums, “Talk Saves Lives,” in conjunction with the AFSP. Individuals can view replays of the presentations on the Township online video library.

2019 Chatham Township Out of the Darkness Walk Sponsors:

Gold:

• Mortgage Unlimited
• Soltex

Silver:

• Weichert Realtor
• Corpus Christi Roman Catholic Church

Bronze:

• Morris County Police Chiefs Association
• V’s Barbershop
• Madison Auto Body
• The Chatham Club
• Maplecrest Ford Lincoln of Union
• Maplecrest Ford of Mendham
• Peapack-Gladstone Bank
• Chatham Township Fire Department
• Chatham Township PBA #170

Individuals and local businesses that have an interest in sponsoring the Chatham Township Out of the Darkness Community Walk can learn more at the website.

Participants can register as an individual, or as a team, by visiting the website.

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