Walk To End Suicide This Weekend At Jones Beach

This weekend, thousands of Long Islanders will gather to help raise awareness and funding for suicide prevention at the annual Out of the Darkness Walk at Jones Beach.

Sponsored by the Long Island chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), the Out of the Darkness walk aims to raise awareness and funds for research and outreach by the AFSP to help save lives and prevent suicides across the country.

Thousands of people across the country die from suicide every year. According to the AFSP, someone in New York kills themselves every five hours. It is even worse for young people: while suicide is the 12th leading cause of death in New York, it is the second leading cause for people 15 to 34.

The walk is being held at Jones Beach on Sunday, Oct. 28 at Field 5. Check-in and registration starts at 8:30 a.m., and the walk begins at 10 a.m. It is a 5K, or 3.1 mile, walk. The walk ends at 12:30 p.m.

So far, the AFSP has raised more than $264,000 for the walk. While that's impressive, it's short of the goal of $400,000.

Those interested in participating can register online until noon Friday by clicking here. After Friday, registration will have to be done at the race. There is no registration fee and no minimum fundraising requirement to walk.

If you can't walk but still want to support the cause, you can click here to make a donation. Donations will be accepted until Dec. 31.

The walk will take place rain or shine. Dogs are not permitted on the walk. For more information, you can contact Phil Schoppman or Phil Bianco at 516-869-4215 or email longislandny@afsp.org.

Photo courtesy Janice Herley/giaphotography