HERKIMER, N.Y. — Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States. On Saturday, hundreds of people in Oneida and Herkimer Counties participated in the annual Out of the Darkness Community Walk to raise awareness and funds for suicide prevention.
Walks took place at both Bellamy Harbor Park in Rome and the Herkimer ARC Park.
Hosted by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Greater Central NY Chapter, funds raised from these walks will support the Foundation’s education and support programs and its bold goal to reduce the annual U.S. rate of suicide by 20 percent.
“Even though there has been a lot of work to break down the stigma of mental health, it still exists,” says Herkimer County Out of the Darkness Walk Committee Member Amy Fahey. “Every day we are losing people because they don’t feel safe to come forward to say that they are not OK. We want to bring people together to show them that they are not alone, even though it might feel like that, and to truly know that you have a community around you that is there for you if you ever need help.”
If you, or anyone you know, are considering suicide, call or text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
