More than 150 people from throughout Williamson County are expected to participate in the upcoming Out of the Darkness Community Walk on May 16, 2015 beginning at 308 Jordan Road, Franklin at 10:00 am.
The fundraising walk supports the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention by helping to support local and national suicide prevention and awareness programs to reduce the annual rate of suicide by 20 percent by 2025.
The Franklin Out of the Darkness Walk is one of more than 360 Out of the Darkness Community Walks being held this spring nationwide. The walks are expected to unite more than 100,000 walkers nationally and raise more than $12 million for suicide prevention efforts. “Much more needs to be done to prevent suicide. Yet, suicide and the underlying mental disorders that can sometimes lead to suicide continue to be surrounded by misinformation and stigma,” said Jon Sterns, senior pastor at Franklin Vineyard Church. “This walk is about reducing that stigma, raising awareness and raising needed funds for research and local prevention programs.”
After the walk, speakers for the event will include Shannon Hall, Chairperson of the Middle-TN chapter and local dignitaries including Franklin Mayor, Dr. Ken Moore.
According to AFSP, close to 700,000 people will make a suicide attempt requiring medical care and more than 38,000 will die by suicide in the U.S. every year. “Despite the troubling statistics, an important goal of the walk is to stress that suicide can be prevented. The walk is also a call to action that more must be done to prevent suicide, nationally and in
communities across the country,” said Robert Gebbia, executive director for the foundation. “We know that the best way to prevent suicide is through the early recognition and treatment of the mental disorders that can contribute to suicide. Unfortunately, stigma about disorders such as depression, bipolar illness, and alcohol and substance abuse, keeps people from getting the treatment they need. The Walks are about eliminating that stigma. It’s about
bringing hope to those who have been affected by suicide,” he continued.
Local sponsors for the Franklin Out of the Darkness Walk include Matt Ward Realty Group, Fifth Third Bank, Law Offices of Ben M. Rose, Timmons Properties, Whole Foods Market, Chick-fit-A, Right At Home, The Human Capital Group, Carpet Den Interiors, Keller Williams Realty, SERVPRO of Williamson County, Remax Elite, The Coffee House at 2nd and Bridge.
About the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention:
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is the leading national not-for-profit
organization exclusively dedicated to understanding and preventing suicide through research,
education and advocacy as well as to reaching out to people with mental disorders and those
impacted by suicide. For more information please visit www.afsp.org
