KALAMAZOO – The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention will be hosting Out of the Darkness Community Walks throughout September and October in locations across the United States. The events aim to raise awareness of depression and suicide, and funds to go toward research and education in the field.
And in Kalamazoo, Project Light plans to once again be part of the solution – especially for LGBT youth.
Project Light is a Kalamazoo-based organization that works to educate the community about the specific dangers LGBT youth face in regard to depression, mental health and suicide. One in three gay, bisexual or transgender youth will contemplate, attempt or commit suicide by the age of 25, and that's why Project Light wants to get the word out.
The Kalamazoo Out of the Darkness walk takes place from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12 in Bronson Park.
Team Project Light is currently collecting donations, and hopes to raise over $1,000 – the amount they managed to raise for last year's walk.
The total fundraising goal for the Kalamazoo walk is $20,000, half of which will stay in the local area as a grant fund for mental health and suicide prevention services. The other half wil be used for national research for programs and education on mental health for high-risk populations, such as college students, veterans and LGBT youth.
To donate or to join Team Project Light at the walk, visit www.outofthedarkness.org and search for Project Light. To learn more about Project Light, visit http://www.projectlight.info or e-mail Executive Director Adam Taylor at [email protected].
