Walk Date: 04/20/2024
Walk Location: Ammerman Campus, Selden, NY
Onsite Registration Time: 9:00 am
Walk Program Starts: 10:00 am
For more information, please contact:
Contact Name: Sarah Boles
Contact Phone: 631-451-4530
Contact Email: boless@sunysuffolk.edu
Walk Route:
Walk is a 3 mile loop around the campus starting at the Veterans Plaza behind the Babylon Student Center!
Event Details:
Our first walk was initiated by a passionate student at the college in 2017 who felt it would be community building and impactful to host an Out of the Darkness Walk here at Suffolk. This year will be our 8th Annual Out of the Darkness Walk on the Ammerman Campus of SCCC. We are the only college campus on Long Island to host a walk and have worked hard to keep the event going as it is an wonderful opportunity for those impacted by mental health issues and suicide to come together, get connected to resources, raise awareness, and foster hope for those with lived experience, as well as loss survivors and those supporting others who are struggling. We also know that suicide remains a leading cause of death for youth and young adults.
Our walk also raises funds for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention which is the leading private funder of research related to suicide and suicide prevention. The organization also provides a number of educational programs for communities and those impacted by this issue. In addition, AFSP is an advocate for mental health and other resources including the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (988lifeline.org).
Last year, Mental Health and Wellness Services collaborated with Veterans Services and the Student Veterans of America (SVA ) on campus to give attention to the issue of suicide in the veteran community in particular. We will be collaborating again to provide not only resources for support for the general public, but also resources specific to the veteran population. We participate in a 22-Push Up Challenge to raise awareness about this issue which is led by student veterans on campus. We have traditionally partnered with other clubs including the Honors Club and the Student Government Association on the event. Whether you are an individual student, student group/organization or other campus community member or someone from our local community that is impacted or wants to participate, this is an awesome opportunity to support an amazing cause while also connecting and finding community and hope.
Join us on Saturday, April 20th! Invite family or friends that could benefit from the event and feel free to reach out if you have any questions about our walk.
Below are some community resources that will be present at the event:
- American Foundation for Suicide Prevention - Long Island Chapter
- Family Service League - DASH
- Response Crisis Center
- Victory Recovery Partners
- Neighborhood House
- Pride for Youth
- SCCC Mental Health and Wellness Services
- SCCC Veteran Services
- Suffolk County Veterans Services Agency
- The Joseph Dwyer Project
- The Economic Opportunities Council of Suffolk County
- Here to Help
- Pet Partners of Long Island
- and more....
#HopeWalksHere #OutoftheDarkness