Santa Monica Walkers Take to the Streets to Fight Suicide

Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States, yet suicide is preventable.

More than 1,400 people from throughout Los Angeles are expected to participate in the annual Greater Los Angeles Out of the Darkness Community Walk Santa Monica hosted by the Greater Los Angeles Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention at 9:00 a.m. October 15, 2016 at 3rd Street Promenade and Wilshire in Santa Monica. This fundraising walk supports the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's local and national education and advocacy programs and its bold goal to reduce the annual rate of suicide 20 percent by 2025.

"We walk to raise awareness about this important health issue. Suicide touches one in five American families. We hope that by walking we save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide," said Traute Winters, AFSP Greater Los Angeles Area Director.

The Greater Los Angeles Out of the Darkness Walk in Santa Monica is one of more than 375 Out of the Darkness Community Walks being held nationwide this year. The walks are expected to unite more than 250,000 walkers and raise millions for suicide prevention efforts. With this walk last year, Greater Los Angeles Region Chapter raised over $110,000 and had 1,000 participants.

Speakers at the Greater Los Angeles Out of the Darkness Walk will include AFSP CEO Robert Gebbia, Anthony Cornelius, son of Don Cornelius from Soul Train who died by suicide in 2012, Dr. Joan, Arsanow, UCLA, and Amy Robinson with Argosy University. Mrs. California 2017 who lost her Grandmother to suicide will be appearing as Mistress of Ceremonies.

"These walks are about turning hope into action," said AFSP CEO Robert Gebbia. "Suicide is a serious problem, but it's a problem we can solve. The research has shown us how to fight suicide, and if we keep up the fight the science is only going to get better, our culture will get smarter about mental health, and we'll be able to save more people from dying from depression and other mental health conditions."

Local sponsors for the Greater Los Angeles Out of the Darkness Community Walk in Santa Monica include Presenting Sponsor Argosy University, Center for Discovery, Psi Upsilon Fraternity, Callas Rennsport, GoGaurdian, Roclord Studios, and Venice Church.

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is dedicated to saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide. AFSP creates a culture that's smart about mental health through education and community programs, develops suicide prevention through research and advocacy, and provides support for those affected by suicide. Led by CEO Robert Gebbia and headquartered in New York, and with a public policy office in Washington, D.C., AFSP has local chapters in all 50 states with programs and events nationwide.

Learn more about AFSP in its latest Annual Report, and join the conversation on suicide prevention by following AFSP on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.