Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death for young people ages 10 to 34 in the United States, yet suicide can be prevented. Students and volunteers at Louisiana Tech University are joining the quarter of a million people who are walking on campuses across the United States to draw attention to the fight for suicide prevention.
“We at Counseling Services are seeing an increase in the number of students who present to us with concerns related to mental health, and suicide is no exception. We hope that by connecting with one another, we will draw attention to this issue and keep our students and community from experiencing suicide loss. Our ultimate goal is to save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide,” said Dr. Mallory Garza, Assistant Director of Student Health and Wellness for Counseling Services at the university.
Louisiana Tech University’s Counseling Services will host its Out of the Darkness Campus Walk at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 30 at Aspire Plaza on campus. This walk supports the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s education and support programs and its bold goal to reduce the annual U.S. rate of suicide 20 percent by the year 2025.
The Louisiana Tech University Out of the Darkness Campus Walk 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 unite more than 300,000 walkers and raise millions for suicide prevention efforts. “These walks are about turning hope into action,” said AFSP 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.” Community members are welcome to join the walk by starting a team online at www.afsp.org/latech.
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.