Movement of a Quarter of a Million People Joined by Local Participants in Worcester County.

Ocean City, MD — Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in the United States, yet suicide can be prevented. Volunteers from Ocean City are joining the quarter of a million people who are walking in towns across the United States to draw attention to the fight for suicide prevention. The annual Ocean City Out of the Darkness Walk, hosted by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention – Maryland Chapter, will be held on October 21, 2023 at Worcester County Recreation and Parks (6030 Public Landing Road Snow Hill, MD 21863) with registration open at 8:00 a.m. and the Walk at 9:00 a.m. Pre-registration or donation can be made at afsp.org. This walk supports the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s education and support programs and its goal to reduce the annual U.S. rate of suicide 20 percent by the year 2025.

“Suicide touches one in five American families. We hope that by walking we will draw attention to this issue and keep other families from experiencing a suicide loss. Our ultimate goal is to save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide,” said Worcester County Local Management Board Program Coordinator Christen Barbierri.

The Ocean City Out of the Darkness Walk is one of more than 550 Out of the Darkness Overnight, Community, and Campus Walks being held nationwide this year. The walks are expected to unite more than 300,000 walkers and raise millions for suicide prevention efforts. Last year, these walks raised over $24 million for suicide prevention.   

Local sponsors for the Ocean City Out of the Darkness Walk include Worcester County Local Behavioral Health Authority, Worcester County’s Initiative to Preserve Families, Worcester Youth and Family, Life Crisis Center, Salted Vines & Winery, and the Worcester County Health Department.

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is dedicated to saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide. AFSP creates a culture that’s smart about mental health through education and community programs, develops suicide prevention through research and advocacy, and provides support for those affected by suicide. Led by CEO Robert Gebbia and headquartered in New York, and with a public policy office in Washington, D.C., AFSP has local chapters in all 50 states with programs and events nationwide. Learn more about AFSP in its latest Annual Report, and join the conversation on suicide prevention by following AFSP on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.