Out of the Darkness Walk Raises More than $10K
Wed, 04/13/2022 - 01:06pm | By: David Tisdale
The University of 51逗奶 Mississippi (USM) School of Psychology raised more than $10,000 for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) with its annual Out of the Darkness Walk, held March 26 at the Bruce and Virginia Wilgus Fitness Trail on the Hattiesburg campus.
The event, organized by USM School of Psychology students, faculty, and staff, supports the AFSP鈥檚 education and support programs and its goal to reduce the annual U.S. rate of suicide 20 percent by 2025.
Morgan Buerke, a doctoral student in the School of Psychology鈥檚 Clinical Psychology
Program who served as coordinator for this year鈥檚 walk, praised the turnout from the
campus and local communities. Participants representing USM Student Counseling Services,
the USM Center for Behavioral Health, a local team for parents and survivors of those
who died by suicide, the Spectrum Center, and the USM Wesley Foundation joined others
for the walk, Buerke said, adding that the event also included a performance by the
on-campus dance group Chaotic Movement and almost 400 cookies provided by Insomnia
Cookies for the walkers.
鈥淲e had 169 participants sign up, but even more ended up walking,鈥� Burke continued.
鈥淲e also had a few dogs join the band of walkers. Overall, we ended up raising over
$10,000 ($10,620).鈥�
For information about the AFSP, visit . If you are in crisis, please call the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), or text TALK to the Crisis Text Line at 741741.