Hundreds walk in ‘Out of the Darkness Community Walk’ for suicide, mental health awareness
Kendall Flynn
PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – Over 200 people gathered for an “Out of the Darkness Community Walk” at Civic Center Park Saturday. Each came to walk for suicide prevention, education and mental health awareness.
Riverside University Health System Behavioral Health hosted the event in partnership with the Riverside County Suicide Prevention Coalition and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
For attendees, the walk brings them together for a common cause of remembrance and action to address suicide. Participants were able to honor loved ones lost to suicide, talk with local resource and raise money for resources.
The walk raised over $26,000 so far, but organizers said money can still be raised until the end of the year.
Since 2019 Riverside County has seen a 16% decrease in suicide rates, which local officials said is sign of progress by sustained education and prevention efforts. The decrease comes from the latest data provided by RUHS-Public Health Epidemiology and Program Evaluation.
Volunteers with the community walk said the decrease is promising, but they won’t stop until suicide rates are at zero percent. For them, education and continued awareness are the keys to reaching that goal.
Stay with News Channel 3 to hear from volunteers and walkers about the importance of this event for suicide and mental health awareness.