Cleveland State University’s H.Y.P.E. Team and the Suicide Prevention Student Leaders Team are hosting an Out of the Darkness Campus Walk to benefit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and to raise awareness about the importance of mental health among CSU students on April 27.

Suicide is the second leading cause of death among people ages 15-24. The mission of the Out of the Darkness Campus Walk is to raise funds and engage youth and young adults in the fight to prevent suicide. The CSU walk has a fundraising goal of $5000 to benefit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. 

During this first annual walk, featured speaker, Matti-Lynn Chrisman, Miss Ohio 2018, will give an inspirational speech about her experience with depression and how everyone can play a part in mental health awareness. 

Online registration for the walk closes at noon on Friday, April 26. In-person registration can be completed on April 27 at check-in from 9:30 a.m. until the walk begins at 11:00 a.m. The walk lasts two hours and will take place on the Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs lawn, or in the atrium in the case of inclement weather. Donations will be accepted until June 30.

The funds raised will allow the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention to “invest in new research, create educational programs, advocate for public policy and support survivors of suicide loss.” The organization has set a goal to reduce the annual suicide rate by 20 percent by 2025. The CSU walk is one of more than 550 Out of the Darkness Walks being held across the nation this year.

For more information about the event or to make a donation, visit https://afsp.org/CSUOhio.