Skip to content

Are you in a crisis? Call or text 988 or text TALK to 741741

¿Estás en una crisis? Llama o envía un mensaje de texto al 988 o envía un mensaje de texto con AYUDA al 741741

Donate Now

Stories about Walks

Attendees smiling and interacting at an Atlanta Out of the Darkness Community Walk

We’ve Come So Far: Celebrating the 20th Annual Atlanta Out of the Darkness Community Walk for Suicide Prevention

AFSP's Out of the Darkness Walks raise awareness and much-needed funds to combat suicide, which has long been a leading cause of death. The Atlanta Community Walk holds a special place in my heart – especially this year, as it is Atlanta’s 20th annual event.

Allison Lindley's uncle.

Redefining Strength after Losing My Uncle to Suicide

I want others to know that having difficult experiences with mental health does not mean that you are alone. I had always wanted to be a part of suicide prevention efforts, and in 2022 I walked for the first time in one of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Out Of the Darkness Community Walks.

Young Taylor Ryan with her mother, Sabrina Jones.

To Make Sense of My Mother’s Suicide, I Had to Understand My Own Relationship to Mental Health

When I was 14 years old, I lost my mother, Sabrina Jones, to suicide. Up until my mom's death, I did not understand to what extent mental health could affect your everyday life, including my own.

Hannah Moch standing on stage a with a group of people at an Out of the Darkness Overnight Walk.

20 Things I’ve Learned from (Almost) 20 Overnight Walks for Suicide Prevention

In 2006, I lost my friend and eighth grade classmate Malaya to suicide. Just a year after Malaya died, AFSP brought the Out of the Darkness Overnight Walk to my hometown of New York City for the first time. This year, I’ll participate in my twentieth Overnight Walk. Here are some tips I’ve learned.

Jenniffer Moffett's stepdad Tom smiling and driving a boat.

We Need to Do This for Dad

This year I will have lived my life longer without Tom than with him. But he is with me every time I tell his story, train a suicide prevention class, visit with a suicide loss survivor, and attend an Out of the Darkness walk.

Group of people gathered outside in matching t-shirts at the Construction Hike for Hope.

Acknowledging My Dark Night: My Mission to Support Suicide Prevention in the Construction Industry

Construction has the second highest rate of suicide in the U.S. While we have not historically discussed mental health in construction, we are an industry that truly cares about our employees, and we must create an environment where they can share their emotions and struggles.

Tabitha Childers stares into the distance

Improving the Healthcare System as a Project 2025 Champion

To me, #MentalHealth4All means that everyone has access to support and that we normalize making the time and space to ask our friends and family how their mental health is doing.

Collage of walkers smiling at the Overnight

Be Good to Yourself: Walking to Heal After Losing My Dad to Suicide

Growing up, my dad ended every conversation with the phrase, “Be good to yourself.” It was on his cellphone voicemail, our home phone’s voicemail, and he said it to people he had just met. My dad’s ever-present lesson in kindness and self-compassion set me on a mission to make this world a better place.

Nancy Cooper headshot

Finding Strength in AFSP’s Overnight Community

I would like to see a world without suicide, in which everyone takes care of their mental health, and all people support one another and are kind to each other. Everyone should have access to the mental health support and services that they need.

Ihsan Hines headshot

I Walk for Atif and a World Without Suicide

When I envision my hope for the future, stigma around mental health will be a thing of the past. I plan to participate in the healing of our world by being transparent, and teaching others what I’ve learned through my times of struggle and triumph.

Two people in bike helmets and AFSP shirts standing beside bikes pose in front of a sunset.

A Love Letter to The Overnight

An ode to AFSP's flagship fundraising event, The Overnight, in which thousands of Walkers who share a personal connection to AFSP's cause come together from across the country to walk 16+ miles with the goal to stop suicide.

Group of walkers holding a banner

I Walk to Reach the Mountain

I walk because AFSP is striving to make sure those who are struggling will no longer face roadblocks ahead, so the true focus will lie on the climb to recovery.