Rowan Holds Suicide Prevention Walk Online

GLASSBORO, NJ — During the outbreak of new coronavirus, even charity walks have become a virtual activity. Rowan University partnered with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention for the university’s third annual Out of the Darkness suicide prevention walk on Saturday.

The walk was held online and webcast via Zoom. Viewers were encouraged to take a walk or participate in activities to honor loved ones affected by suicide which, according to the AFSP, remains the 10th leading cause of death in the United States.

As of 2017, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention said 129 Americans take their life each day on average. White men account for roughly 70 percent of suicides, according to the most recently available data.

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Thirty registered teams raised more than $13,000 for suicide prevention measures and programming during this year’s walk, which is organized each year by the office of Healthy Campus Initiatives within the Wellness Center.

Rowan holds the walk each year in part to lessen the stigma of talking about suicide and suicidal thoughts because research shows that talking through difficulties can help diffuse feelings about them.

Interested donors may contribute to this year’s Out of the Darkness suicide prevention program through June 30 at http://www.afsp.org/rowan. This year’s program can still be seen online.

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