Submitted photo
Attendees walk at the Out of the Darkness event last year.

LEWISTOWN — Juniata Valley Behavioral & Developmental Services holds their Out of the Darkness walk to prevent suicide this Sunday, Oct. 6 at Kish Park.

Geisinger and Mount Nittany Health as well as 13 additional donors sponsor this event.

You can register up to the day of by noon, and the walk begins at 1 p.m.

The first local Out of the Darkness walk was held in 2016. In 2017, the Juniata Board of Commissioners filed a proclamation naming the first Sunday of October as Suicide Awareness and Prevention Day in support of the annual Juniata Valley Out of the Darkness Walk.

Tickets will be sold for donated raffle items and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) will set up a store to sell apparel.

All proceeds raised go to the AFSP with 50% remaining for Huntingdon, Mifflin, and Juniata counties.

The Out of the Darkness Walk is a journey of remembrance, hope, and support. It unites our communities and provides an opportunity to acknowledge how suicide and mental health conditions have affected our lives and the lives of those we love and care about.

AFSP set the 2024 goal of the Juniata Valley Out of the Darkness Walk at $40,000, but they will continue to fundraise and collect donations throughout the year until Dec. 31, 2024.

“Advocacy is a powerful and important catalyst for change,” said Lisa Miller, local Out of the Darkness administrative officer.

“Acting on my heart and mind to express my voice from personal and professional experiences drives me to share the importance of mental health as a top priority. I dedicate my time to AFSP to help others locate resources and support to move through the darkest of days. Advocacy gives me the opportunity to be the change I want to see in the world,” added Miller.