AMARILLO, Texas (KAMR/KCIT) – The annual American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Out of the Darkness Walk was held this morning at Sam Houston. The walk is a way to honor those who died by suicide and help fundraise the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and their efforts.
The morning began with a bead ceremony so everyone part of the walk could wear beads to symbolize why they were a part of the walk.
“So today we have a bead ceremony, and take just a moment of silence to represent each different color. I’m wearing purple for the loss and death of a friend, and then the blue is in support of suicide in general prevention,” said Mandy Nettleton.
AFSP is the largest private funder of suicide prevention research, according to AFSP West Texas Chapter, and every one part of the walk helps fund that research.
“As this organization is growing, we definitely need more volunteers. We want to spread the word, because everyone’s involved with makes an impact in this and suicide prevention across the globe, but we, being here in the Panhandle,” said Gil Nettleton. “It just helps spread the word even more. So we encourage all people to get out and get involved.”