The Herkimer County Out of the Darkness Walk Returns Sept. 26 at ARC Park invites residents to walk, volunteer, donate and connect.
Herkimer County Out of the Darkness Walk Returns Sept. 26 organizers are asking the community to turn grief and concern into action on Saturday, Sept. 26. The annual Out of the Darkness Community Walk will begin at ARC Park in Herkimer, bringing together people who have lost loved ones, supported someone in crisis or faced their own mental health struggles.
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911. For free, confidential crisis support, call or text 988.
Herkimer suicide prevention walk details
Check-in begins at 10 a.m., and the event starts at 11 a.m. The Greater Central New York Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is hosting the walk.
Participation can include walking, joining or forming a team, volunteering, sponsoring the event or donating. Registration and current fundraising information are available on the official Herkimer County Walk page.
The press release said the event remained more than $20,000 short of its fundraising goal when organizers issued their appeal. Because totals can change quickly, donors should use the official page for the latest figure.
A place for remembrance and connection
Out of the Darkness walks combine public education with personal remembrance. Some participants walk in memory of a person who died. Others attend to support a friend, honor their own mental health journey or show that seeking help should never be a source of shame.
“We hope that by connecting with one another, we will draw attention to this health issue and keep other families from experiencing a suicide loss,” AFSP Area Director Kerr Flanders said. “Our goal is to save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide.”
The walk is designed to remind people that they are not alone. That message matters in smaller communities, where residents may know one another well but still struggle to discuss depression, trauma or suicidal thoughts.
Where the money goes
AFSP says walk proceeds support research, education, advocacy and programs for people affected by suicide loss. The national organization describes itself as a major private funder of suicide-prevention research.
Local participation can also help bring prevention education and support programs into Central New York communities. Businesses can sponsor events, organize employee teams and provide volunteers. Individuals can join year-round advocacy and education efforts through the chapter.
Why the issue remains urgent
National suicide rates declined modestly in the most recently available data, but the long-term toll remains high. AFSP reported that the national rate in 2024 was still 32 percent higher than in 2000. The organization also reports that suicide is the 12th-leading cause of death in New York.
Statistics show scale, but they do not fully describe the impact on a family, school, workplace or neighborhood. Prevention requires both public systems and ordinary human connection. Listening, taking warning signs seriously and helping a person reach professional support can matter.
How to respond when someone may be at risk
People do not need to be clinicians to show care. Helpful steps can include:
- Ask directly and calmly whether the person is thinking about suicide.
- Listen without arguing, judging or minimizing the pain.
- Stay with the person or help connect them with a trusted adult or professional.
- Reduce access to weapons or other lethal means when it can be done safely.
- Call or text 988 for guidance and crisis support.
- Call 911 when there is immediate danger.
Asking about suicide does not plant the idea. A direct question can open the door to an honest conversation and faster help.
How Mohawk Valley residents can help
Residents can register even if they have never attended a prevention event. They can also donate to a participant or team, volunteer on walk day, or share verified crisis resources.
Local organizations can support the effort beyond a single event. Schools, employers, congregations and civic groups can arrange evidence-based training, distribute 988 information and build clear plans for responding to a person in crisis.
Journalists and social-media users also have a responsibility to discuss suicide carefully. Avoiding graphic details, sensational language and simplistic explanations reduces harm. Including help resources gives readers a direct path to support.
Walking toward hope
The Herkimer County walk cannot erase a family’s loss, but it can make isolation smaller. It can help a grieving person meet someone who understands. It can fund research and education. It can also make a public promise that mental health is worth talking about.
Community members who are able should register, volunteer, donate or simply share the event and the 988 Lifeline. A single walk is one day. The culture of care it builds can last all year.
