The Woodlands, TX – Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States, yet suicide is preventable.

More than 1,000 people from throughout the Greater Houston areas are expected to participate in the 10th Annual Out of the Darkness Community Walk at 10:00 a.m. November 7th, at Town Green Park in The Woodlands, Texas.

This fundraising walk supports the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s local and national programs and its bold goal to reduce the annual rate of suicide 20 percent by 2025.

[quote align=”center” color=”#999999″]“We walk to support those who suffer from mental health conditions and raise the money for research and prevention programs that will save lives” – WyKisha McKinney[/quote]  WyKisha is a board member of AFSP’s Greater Houston Area Chapter.

The Greater Houston Area Out of the Darkness Walk is one of more than 360 Out of the Darkness Community Walks being held nationwide this fall. The walks are expected to unite more than 100,000 walkers and raise millions for suicide prevention efforts.

Speakers at the Greater Houston Area Out of the Darkness Walk will include co-host of “The Q Morning Zoo” radio show Kevin Kline and Esmeralda Friedman – Miss Conroe Texas, as the Mistress of Ceremonies.

“These walks are about turning hope into action,” said AFSP CEO Robert Gebbia. “Suicide is a serious problem, but it’s a problem we can solve. The research has shown us how to fight suicide, and if we keep up the fight the science is only going to get better, our culture will get smarter about mental health, and we’ll be able to save more people from dying from depression and other mental health conditions.”

Local AFSP sponsors for the Greater Houston Area Out of the Darkness Community Walk include Berger Geo-Sciences, our title sponsor and long-time supporters of AFSP-Greater Houston Area. Other sponsors include Crush Wine Lounge, The Woodlands Journal, Tri-County Behavioral Healthcare, Houston Transitions to Wellness and Counseling, and more.