In this episode of "Hub City Now with Tyrone Tony Reed Jr.," the host spoke with Darin Hollingsworth, chair for the annual Jackson Out of the Darkness Walk, hosted by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Tennessee. The event will be held from 9 a.m.12:00PM, Saturday, November 6 at North Park in Jackson. This walk supports the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s education and support programs and its bold goal to reduce the annual U.S. rate of suicide 20 percent by the year 2025.
The Jackson 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 $21 million for suicide prevention. The Jackson Out of the Darkness Walk has already exceeded the initial goal for this year by rising over $10 thousand for suicide prevention and mental health awareness.
“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 Hollingsworth.
Speakers at the Jackson Out of the Darkness Walk will include members of the Jackson Fire Department and other community leaders who are passionate about suicide prevention. Families are invited to come out and meet our Fire Department representatives, see their equipment and walk with them in their turn out gear. Also for kids and adults who are interested, we will have a Kindness Rock Painting station. Other exhibitors will be on hand with community information and additional suicide prevention and mental health resources.
Listen as Hollingsworth speaks about the event, how you can help and as he shares his personal story and why he felt he needed to be a part of the AFSP.
