Walkers take to the streets to prevent suicide

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- More than 2,000 people from throughout the Greater Houston Area are expected to participate in the upcoming Out of the Darkness Community Walk on Saturday, Nov. 1.

The fundraising walk supports the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP, afsp.org) 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 Greater Houston Area Out of the Darkness Walk (The Woodlands) is one of more than 360 Out of the Darkness Community Walks (www.outofthedarkness.org) being held this fall 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 WyKisha McKinney. "This walk is about reducing that stigma, raising awareness and raising needed funds for research and local prevention programs."

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