The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention hosts more than 400 Out of the Darkness Community Walks across all 50 states. Their mission is to Save Lives and Bring Hope to Those Affected by Suicide. Participating in the Out of the Darkness Community Walks comes in all different shapes and sizes. In order to get involved, participants can create or join teams, walk as an individual, walk virtually or volunteer. When you walk in the Out of the Darkness Walks, you join the effort with hundreds of thousands of people to raise awareness and funds that allow the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) to invest in new research, create educational programs, advocate for public policy, and support survivors of suicide loss.
To fully achieve its mission, AFSP engages in the following Five Core Strategies:
- Fund scientific research
- Offer educational programs for professionals
- Educate the public about mood disorders and suicide prevention
- Promote policies and legislation that impact suicide and prevention
- Provide programs and resources for survivors of suicide loss and people at risk, and involve them in the work of the Foundation