Sam Dunaway | News Editor

On Oct. 14, thousands gathered at the Riverfront Park in Salem for the Out of the Darkness Community Walk. Organized by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, the walk’s mission was to raise awareness and support individuals affected by suicide.

According to the AFSP’s website, suicide claims more lives than war, murder and natural disasters combined, and through early detection and treatment of mental health conditions, many suicides can be prevented.

Through sponsorships and fundraising, the AFSP is able to fund scientific research, offer public educational programs about suicide prevention and promote legislation that impacts suicide prevention.

The community walks are quickly gaining momentum: since the first walks in 2004, the number of participants has increased by nearly 240,000 individuals.

People walked for family members, loved ones, children and siblings. Signs and t-shirts were made that displayed those lost to suicide. Individuals that had personally struggled with suicide took part in the community walk. It was a powerful display of strength and hope for a better future.

Tori Edwards-Zartman is a senior at Western and attended her second Out of the Darkness Walk in Portland on Oct. 7.

“These walks are so impactful because people are able to be honest about their losses and personal struggle, which so many people are afraid to talk about,” Edwards-Zartman said. “They have a place you can bring pictures, posters and letters of loved ones who have died by suicide and when you walk through it and see all the different people that have been affected, it makes you want to get involved and make a difference.”

“All the money the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention raises from the walks goes to great resources and programs on college campuses, in high schools, and funding support groups that advocate for those who struggle with suicide,” she continued. “I think that it is an incredible experience and that if you are unsure about attending one, you would not regret going.”

Contact the author at journalnews@wou.edu