Walk to prevent suicide happens in Montpelier on Oct. 29
Oct. 20, 2022 | Press release 
The Out of the Darkness Community Walk in Montpelier on Oct. 29 is one of five to be held in Vermont this year to support suicide prevention. Courtesy file photo
Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States, yet suicide can be prevented. Volunteers from Central Vermont are joining the 250,000 people who are walking in towns across the United States to draw attention to the fight for suicide prevention.
The annual Central Vermont Out of the Darkness Community Walk, hosted by the American Foundation For Suicide Prevention Vermont Chapter will be held starting at 10 a.m., Oct. 2, at the State House lawn in Montpelier.
This walk supports the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s education and support programs and its goal to reduce the annual U.S. rate of suicide 20% by the year 2025.
“Suicide touches one in five American families. We hope that by walking we will draw attention to this issue and keep other families from experiencing a suicide loss. Our ultimate goal is to save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide,” said Eva Zaret, a Vermont chapter board member.
The Central Vermont event is one of more than 550 Out of the Darkness Overnight, Community and Campus Walks being held nationwide this year. The walks are expected to draw more than 300,000 walkers and raise millions for suicide prevention efforts. Last year, these walks raised over $21 million for suicide prevention.
This will be Central Vermont’s first annual Out of the Darkness Community Walk, joining walks in Rutland, Burlington, Newport, and Brattleboro.
“These walks are about turning hope into action,” said foundation CEO Robert Gebbia. “The research has shown us how to fight suicide, and if we keep up the fight, the science is only going to get better and our culture will get smarter about mental health. With the efforts of our courageous volunteers and a real investment from our nation’s leaders, we hope to significantly reduce the suicide rate in the United States.”
Details on how to join, support and volunteer at the Oct. 29 walk are online on the AFSP website.