Wellspring Educators Join NYC Suicide Awareness Walk

Note: This article was written by Lizz Dinnigan, a Preventionist at Wellspring Center for Prevention.

To bring attention to the devastating U.S. suicide epidemic, which has become a major public health concern, myself and my fellow prevention educator from Wellspring Center for Prevention, Colleen Sharlow, raised $2,000 and walked 16 miles from dusk until dawn throughout New York City on June 21 as part of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s “Out of the Darkness” initiative, which raised $2.9 million nationwide in 2025.

Walking to Raise Suicide Prevention Awareness

This year marks the Overnight’s 30th anniversary, and it was sobering for us to be among the 1,800 participants. Each person has been affected by suicide in some way, whether they lost a parent, child, spouse or partner, sibling, friend, relative, someone from the first responder, military, or LGBTQ+ communities, or through their own personal struggles or desire to support the movement.

The annual event is a powerful experience combining community and support. As you move through the night, you get to connect with others and honor loved ones. The group energy was uplifting and inclusive, as we walked together to spread the message throughout the streets of Manhattan. Participants traveled from across the U.S. for this event. Past walk locations have included Chicago, Seattle, Washington DC, Boston, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Dallas, and San Diego. If you're interested in participating or learning more, visit the Out of the Darkness Overnight website to explore how you can get involved in 2026.

The walk began at the Intrepid Museum on the west side at 8 p.m., and continued to the southern tip of the city, crossing both the Manhattan and Brooklyn bridges. Cheer stations, food/drink pit stops, and sweep vehicles were all provided.

Suicide Prevention Funding and Community Impact

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention uses donations to fund research for suicide prevention, create and distribute education programs, advocate for public policy, and support survivors of suicide loss.

Suicide Statistics and Contributing Factors

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide rates in the U.S. increased significantly between 2000 and 2018. Furthermore, data published by Suicide Awareness Voices of Education show suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in the U.S. In 2023, 49,316 Americans died by suicide, and there were an estimated 1.5 million attempts. Suicide was the second-leading cause of death among individuals ages 10 to 34. Mental health, substance misuse, social media, social isolation, life stressors, and access to lethal means are all contributing factors.

Prevention includes early intervention by recognizing warning signs and seeking immediate help, mental health treatment, helplines and support groups, public awareness, responsible media reporting, and promoting hope and recovery.

Help Is Available: Crisis Resources and Support

It is important to remember that suicide is preventable, and help is available for those who need it. If you or someone you know are in crisis, please call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting 741-741. In addition, the LGBTQIA+ community can contact The Trevor Project directly at 866-488-7386 or text 'START' to 678-678.

Finally, you can learn more about how Wellspring Center for Prevention supports mental health in New Jersey through our evidence-based prevention and education programs.