First Out of Darkness Campus Walk held at Mat-Su College

PALMER — The Alaska chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention partnered with the Mat-Su College to host the First Annual Out of Darkness Campus Walk suicide awareness event.

“I think it went spectacularly. It was a good event all around," American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Alaska Area Director Dustin Morris said.

The Out of Darkness Campus Walk route spanned a mile and a half loop along sidewalks and parking lots across the MSC campus.

The event also featured a live DJ, opening statements from AFSP and MSC, a ceremony to honor families and survivors, a live broadcast from Big Cabbage Radio broadcasting, and free fresh grilled cheese sandwiches and soup.

202 MSC students, staff, and community members participated in the Walk, according to Morris. He said they were able to raise just over $16,000 which will go towards local AFSP programs across the state.

“It's wonderful. We got a lot of outreach from the Mat-Su Valley. To see people turn out for an event like this was really heartwarming,” Morris said.

Morris said the Out of Darkness events are the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's signature fundraiser/suicide awareness events that are held across the nation throughout the year. He said the Alaska chapter has held Out of Darkness Walk events across the state.

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Morris said they have held Out of Darkness Walk events in Palmer and Wasilla before but this is the first time they've worked with MSC to hold a Campus Walk. He said that the average college aged student is considered to be in high risk demographic for suicide, making this event all the more important. He said they're set to return next year.

“Having Mat-Su College be our partner in this is just great," Morris said. “I'm very excited the university sees this as something they want to continue.”

Morris said that Alaska has the second highest suicide rate in the nation which makes community events like this all the more important.

“It's extremely important. it's kind of a grassroots way to bring that awareness and also to continue to fund our mission to save lives

The Out of Darkness Campus Walk was not only an opportunity to raise awareness for suicide but also provide a safe and supportive atmosphere for participants that have been affected by it. Participants were able to wear beads that were colored by how they were affected. For example: white beads represented loss of a child, gold beads represented loss of a parent, red beads represented loss of spouse or partner, and green beads represented a personal struggle or attempt. The event also had numerous support stations for people who felt overwhelmed.

“Suicide is preventable but all too often we don't talk about it because it's stigmatized or it's been politicized and there's a lot of shame in the struggle. So having events where people can come together where they can feel safe, be seen, and be with others that are going through similar experiences is critical to the awareness that one, you're not alone; two, that help is available; and three, that we can do more to prevent this leading cause of death.”

*Important note: if you or someone you know is suffering or at risk for self harm, call 988 for a 24/7 suicide and crisis lifeline.

For more information, visit 988lifeline.org or afsp.org/get-help.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com