A Fight Against Suicide In Chatham, Saturday

Chances are, you know someone who has either thought about taking their own life or has succeeded in doing it. Suicide is one of the top 10 leading causes of death, specifically, the 2nd leading cause in some age groups, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Chatham Township wants people to be aware of the means by which the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention says 43,000 Americans die each year.

For the first year ever, Chatham Township is holding a fundraising walk on Saturday, September 24. The Out of the Darkness Community Walk tomorrow will take place at Chatham High School, on Lafayette Avenue.

“Suicide is preventable, and while it’s not a topic that is often discussed, we believe our inaugural Community Walk will help shed light on this important issue," explained Chatham Township Mayor Curt Ritter. "Suicide touches one in five American families and we hope that by walking, we save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide."

The Walk has already raised four times more than the original goal, with a total of approximately $40,000. The funds will go towards support of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s local and national education and advocacy programs, as well as its bold goal to reduce the annual rate of suicide 20 percent by 2025. There are 400 people who will be participating, from the Chathams and the surrounding communities of Summit, Madison, Millburn, Short Hills and other Morris County towns.

“These 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.”

The prevention walk especially touches upon a risk that afflicts young ones. One in five teens seriously considers taking their own life each year, according to the American Psychological Association.

"Earlier this year, we heard statistics from the School District of the Chathams in which four percent of middle school students and eight percent of high school students have thought about suicide," Mayor Ritter said. "It’s our hope that all this walking will lead to talking, which is what we need to help remove the stigma when it comes to suicide prevention.”

“These 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 researchhas shown us how to fight suicide, and if we keep up the fight the science is only goingto get better, our culture will get smarter about mental health, and we’ll be able to savemore people from dying from depression and other mental health conditions.”

For more information, visit www.afsp.org/chathamtwp or the Facebook page at http://bit.ly/29SsLI9.

The event will take place, rain or shine, at the Chatham High School, at 255 Lafayette Avenue, at 9 AM. Participants can register as an individual, or as a team, by visiting the Chatham Township Community Walk website at www.afsp.org/chathamtwp.