“Last year was such a success for our Walk, we were able to increase our educational outreach by 177%. We trained hundreds of people, in person and online. It allowed us to advocate for bills supporting metal health and 988 [the national suicide prevention number.]”
With September being noted as Suicide Prevention Month, the first order of business at the Culver City Council Meeting on Sept. 9, 2024 was a Proclamation in honor of the struggle for mental health. Culver City resident Bridget McCarthy, who is the local co-chair for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s “Out of the Darkness Walk” was there to accept the proclamation. She spoke about the loss of her child, Riley Chart, and the need for public education on suicide prevention.
“Suicide is a public health problem. It’s a leading cause of death in the United States and it is preventable…It’s the third [highest] cause of death for youth, and the risk is significantly higher for LGBTQ youth, just like my Riley.” He was 16, and a student at Culver City High School.
AFSP sponsors community walks held across the country, and they are the core of the Out of the Darkness movement, which began in 2004. These events give people the courage to open up about their own connections to the cause. Friends, family members, neighbors and coworkers walk side-by-side, supporting each other and in memory of those who were lost.
Also there for the proclamation was was man who identified himself as Patrick, and said he “lost my son Trevor, so thank you Culver City [for supporting suicide prevention.]”
McCarthy asked, “Please join us for the Walk on Oct. 19, when we host the Los Angeles ‘Out of the Darkness Walk’ at the Santa Monica Pier. It’s a day of connecting and music and healing, you can sign up at AFSP.org/LAwalk.
“Together, we can save lives.”
Judith Martin-Straw
