Statewide virtual campus walk for suicide prevention - March 27

Posted
Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States, yet suicide is preventable. Hundreds of student volunteers representing six college campuses in South Carolina are expected to participate in the 2021 SC Statewide Virtual Campus Walk hosted by the AFSP SC Chapter on March 27, 2021 (www.afsp.org/sccampus). This virtual fundraising event supports the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s local and national education and advocacy programs and its bold goal to reduce the annual suicide rate 20 percent by 2025. “We walk to raise awareness about this important health issue. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for people aged 15-24. We hope that by walking we save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide,” said John Tjaarda, AFSP SC Area Director. The 2021 AFSP SC Statewide Virtual Campus Walk is expected to unite hundreds of students representing Tri-County Technical College, Aiken Technical College, Clemson University, University of South Carolina, Coastal Carolina University, and Furman University for the common cause of preventing suicide in South Carolina. The 2021 SC Statewide Virtual Campus Walk is conducted as a virtual walk due to the development of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Day of Action for the SC Statewide Virtual Campus Walk is March 27, 2021. SC Statewide Virtual Campus Walk participants are asked to engage in some activity on March 27, 2021, that promotes mental and physical wellness such as taking a bike ride or a walk in your neighborhood, participating in a creative art activity at home, practicing mindfulness exercises, or practicing other forms of self-care. This will provide an opportunity for all participants bring awareness to the cause of suicide prevention and mental health wellness and to remember and honor those we have lost to suicide among us. “These virtual walks are about turning hope into action,” said AFSP CEO Robert Gebbia. “Suicide is a serious problem, but it’s a problem we can solve. The research has shown us how to fight suicide, and if we keep up the fight the science is only going to get better, our culture will get smarter about mental health, and we’ll be able to save more people from dying from depression and other mental health conditions.” Fundraising for the SC Statewide Virtual Campus Walks will continue through May 30, 2021 and donations can be made online at www.afsp.org/sccampus. The Sponsor for the 2021 SC Statewide Virtual Campus Walk is Eurolink. A special training, AFSP 101- South Carolina Chapter Virtual, will be offered to the public on March 20, 2021 from 10:00 am – 11:00 am. Led by Eileen Schell, AFSP SC Board Chair, the Zoom meeting will provide a virtual presentation that will provide information on how to get involved with the fight to stop suicide in South Carolina. Register for AFSP 101- South Carolina Chapter Virtual on the AFSP SC Chapter website, www.afsp.com/chapter/southcarolina. 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 The work we do focuses on eliminating the loss of life from suicide by: delivering innovative prevention programs, educating the public about risk factors and warning signs, raising funds for suicide research and programs, and reaching out to those individuals who have lost someone to suicide. Learn more about the AFSP SC Chapter at www.afsp.com/chapter/southcarolina and follow the AFSP SC Chapter on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.