Most folks are unaware that suicide is the 4th leading cause of death for adults between the ages of 18 and 65 years in the U.S.

We want to change that ...

In 2009, more than 56,000 participants across the United States took steps to help save lives by walking in one of the 156 “Out of the Darkness” Community Walk locations. Together, participants raised more than $4.2 million for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). This year, one of the more than 200 community walk locations will take place on Sept. 19 at Gallup Park in Ann Arbor.

AFSP is the leading not-for-profit organization exclusively dedicated to understanding and preventing suicide through research and education, and to reaching out to people with psychiatric disorders and those impacted by suicide. Since 1987, AFSP has supported research that is improving our understanding of suicide and its prevention.

The major goal of this event is to show support for the families and friends of the 33,000 Americans who die by suicide each year and the 20 million people who suffer from depression. The walk is designed to help erase the stigma surrounding suicide and its causes, encourage those who are suffering from mental illness to seek treatment and help to raise funds for suicide prevention research and educational programs in the Ann Arbor area and around the country.

It is free to register and attend this event so they encourage participants to invite family, friends, neighbors and co-workers to walk as well. Online registration is now available at www.outofthedarkness.org. You may register individually or you can create a team.

They are also looking for volunteers and sponsors for this event. Sponsors can provide monetary donations or in-kind. If you are gracious enough to become a sponsor, your logo will be printed prominently at water stations along walk route, on a large banner on the stage at the walk, on the back of walk T-shirts given to participants and on promotional materials. As a sponsor you will also be recognized on the Ann Arbor walk website at www.outofthedarkness.org with a link to your website, as well as recognized verbally on the day of the walk during opening ceremonies.

In 2009, the Ann Arbor walk had more than 350 participants and raised more than $25,000! With the help of sponsors like you we can exceed both this year! 



Statistics:

• More than 33,300 people in the United States die by suicide every year.

• Every day, approximately 90 Americans take their own life and 2,300 more attempt to do so.

• More than 90 percent of all people who take their own life suffer from a diagnosable and treatable psychiatric disorder such as: major depression, bipolar depression, PTSD, eating disorders, etc.

• Among young people aged 10-14 years, the suicide rate has doubled in the last two decades.

• 50-75 percent of all suicides give some warning of their intentions to a friend or family member.



Observable signs of serious depression:



• Hopelessness

• Anxiety
• Pessimism
• 
Withdrawal

• Sleep problems
• 
Giving away prized possessions
• 
Change in appetite or weight




And don't forget:



Suicides are not more frequent during the holidays. It appears that the rates are the highest in April, and the summer months, June and July.

Join us at Mindful Muscle and get involved, reduce stigma, create awareness, educate the public, and raise funds for prevention initiatives. Your support will help save lives!

(Source: AFSP)