September marks National Suicide Prevention Month, and the community is invited to the eighth annual Out of the Darkness Suicide Awareness Walk to raise funds for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP).
Walk Co-Chair Valerie Singleton played a key role in hosting the first walk in Hopkinsville in 2018. Singleton’s oldest son died by suicide in 2017, and in the following year, one of his cousins attended a walk in his honor.
Singleton says her son’s cousin gave her information about the walk, so she reached out to the foundation to establish a walk in Hopkinsville.
The walk is free to attend, and the community can also submit donations to the foundation. Singleton says their goal is $10,000, and that money will go toward suicide research, advocacy efforts and survivor outreach. Around $8,600 has been raised so far.
Singleton says the walk is a place for people to support one another and work to raise awareness concerning the signs of suicide.
The walk will also feature information tables on suicide prevention, as well as food trucks and activity vendors. The walk is set for 1 p.m. on September 21 at the Stadium of Champions. Those interested in registering for the walk or donating can do so at afspwalks.donordrive.com.