Close to 900 in Suicide Prevention Walk in Centre County
By: Carolyn Donaldson
Updated: March 29, 2010
STATE COLLEGE, CENTRE COUNTY - In Centre County, hundreds laced up their shoes and walked in support of local suicide prevention efforts.
Close to 900 folks walked around the Penn State campus in the "4th Annual Out of the Darkness Community Walk Saturday afternoon.
Local teams, including over 100 who walked in memory of Altoona teen Alyssa Settle, raised over $27,000 to help in research, education and advocacy all aimed at preventing suicide. Last year, 13 suicide deaths were reported in Centre County alone.
Saturday's walk is one of 190 walks that are held nationwide in 47 states.
Last year, the walks drew more than 50,000 participants and raised $4 million for suicide prevention research, local prevention and educational programs, advocacy and survivor programs in walk communities.
It is estimated that each year, nearly 1 million Americans make a suicide attempt, more than 33,000 die by suicide and more than 20 million suffer from depression.
Suicide is the third leading cause of death among teens and young adults and the second leading cause of death for college students. Additionally, older Americans over the age of 65 account for 16 percent of all suicide deaths.
To learn more about the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, the walk and how you can help, click here.
