Chatham Walks To Prevent Suicide This Month

CHATHAM, NJ — Chatham Township is holding its second annual Out Of The Darkness community walk to raise awareness for suicide prevention later this month.

The walk, benefitting the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, will be held on Sept. 23 at Cougar Field. Walkers can register with a team or individually.

Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death nationwide, and the 11th leading cause of death in New Jersey. Four percent of middle schoolers and eight percent of high schoolers in Chatham have thought about suicide, officials said. (For more information on this and other neighborhood stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts.)

“Suicide does not discriminate and is preventable. We know that it’s not a topic that is often discussed, but we believe our efforts to shed light on this important issue through our annual Out of the Darkness Walk and community forums on suicide awareness and prevention can make a difference," Mayor Curt Ritter said. "Last year’s inaugural Walk attracted more than 500 walkers and raised in excess of $75,000 for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. We would like to do better this year, and I encourage all residents to consider participating in this important event and support our efforts to help prevent suicide.”

“These walks are about turning hope into action,” said AFSP CEO Robert
Gebbia. “Suicide is a serious problem, but it’s a problem we can solve. The research has shown us how to fight suicide, and if we keep up the fight the science is only going to get better, our culture will get smarter about mental health, and we’ll be able to save more people from dying from depression and other mental health conditions.”

Chatham's walk is one of 375 across the country with the goal of reducing the suicide rate by 20 percent by 2025.

To register, visit the walk's website here.

Image via Shutterstock