Families and advocates will gather at Confluence Park this weekend in St. George for the Out of the Darkness walk, an event aimed at raising awareness about sui
Families and advocates will gather at Confluence Park on Sept. 20 in St. George for the Out of the Darkness walk, an event aimed at raising awareness about suicide prevention and offering support for those impacted by suicide.
Families and advocates will gather at Confluence Park this weekend in St. George for the Out of the Darkness walk, an event aimed at raising awareness about suicide prevention and offering support for those impacted by suicide. The event is part of a series of 10 walks across Utah organized by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Organizers said the walks bring together survivors of suicide loss, attempt survivors, and community members to promote seeking help and breaking the stigma around mental health. "Our mission is to save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide," said Catina Struble, executive director of AFSP's Utah chapter. "These walks let people know they're not alone and that it's okay to talk about mental health."New facility offers urgent mental health support as Utah's youth face increasing crisesParticipants wear a colored bead necklace representing their personal connection to suicide. White beads, for example, signify the loss of a child, while red beads represent the loss of a spouse or partner. Struble said the bead ceremony helps participants connect with others who share their experiences. Utah consistently reports higher suicide rates than the national average. According to the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, from 2021 to 2023, the suicide rate in Utah was 20.9 deaths per 100,000 people, compared to the national rate of 14.1 per 100,000. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for Utahns between the ages of 10 and 44. "When you say it out loud, it knocks the wind out of you," Struble said. "10 years old is so young. What do they have to worry about? But the truth is, there's a huge problem among young people, especially when parents and teachers don't want to talk about suicide." Part of the AFSP's mission is to normalize conversations around mental health struggles, regardless of age. "Many people are afraid that if we even bring up the word suicide, that it's going to put that thought in children's head," said Struble. "But we know through research that is not true. They're already thinking about it. Are we having the conversations that could save their lives?" Funds raised through the walk support free AFSP programs in Utah, from school presentations to community trainings. Half of all money raised stays in Utah, while the rest supports national research and advocacy efforts. "We never charge for our programs," Struble said. "Whether it's a suicide prevention talk at a local school or a presentation at a Rotary club, every dollar raised helps keep those community programs free to the community." The Out of the Darkness walk in St. George begins at 10 a.m. on Sept 20 at Confluence Park. It is free to participate, but AFSP encourages participants to aim to raise at least $150 each to support prevention efforts. If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988 to connect with the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
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