UofL aids in suicide prevention through campus walk

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — More than 250 people are expected to participate in the annual Out of the Darkness Campus Walk hosted by UofL’s Cards SPEAK program.

This fundraising walk supports the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s education and advocacy programs and its goal to reduce the annual suicide rate 20 percent by 2025. The walk begins at 4:30 p.m. April 9 outside of the Bingham Humanities Building.

The walk is organized by Cards SPEAK (Suicide Prevention, Education, Awareness, and Knowledge), a campus suicide prevention program that provides training and awareness campaigns to students, faculty and staff, offers information and resources, reduces stigma and promotes a community to assist students in crisis.

“We walk to raise awareness about this important health issue. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for people aged 15-24,” said Tracie Meyer, Cards SPEAK coordinator. “We hope that by walking we save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide.”

The walk is one of more than 125 Out of the Darkness Campus Walks being held nationwide this year. The walks are expected to draw more than 25,000 participants and raise over a million dollars for suicide prevention.

Last year, UofL’s Campus Walk raised over $7,000 and had 150 participants. 

Local sponsors include eltoro.com, Meyer Consulting LLC, The Brook Hospitals, Humana, Centerstone and The Pete Foundation.

For more information about the walk, contact Tracie Meyer.

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