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, according to American Foundation for Suicide Prevention statistics.
The Phoenix Out of the Darkness Community Walk to benefit the Arizona Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention will be held Saturday at Kiwanis Park in Tempe.
The walk will begin at 10 a.m. with registration taking place an hour prior at the soccer fields. Kiwanis Park is at 6111 S. All-America Way.
The event is one of 175 walks taking place throughout the United States this fall. Participants are raising funds for research, education and support programs both locally and nationally.
During last year's Out of the Darkness Walks, more than 45,000 walkers participated and raised more than $3.4 million, according to the Arizona chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
Last year's Phoenix event included 600 participants. So far 410 people have registered for this year, said Heather Fahey, coordinator of the walk. The group hopes to have 1,000 walkers Saturday.
For more information, visit, www.outofthedarkness.org.
