Morrisville State College student news staff to walk for suicide awareness

September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Every year, suicide claims the lives of more than 36,000 Americans (one every 16 minutes), and more than one million worldwide.



Morrisville State College student Catherine Flood would like to help make a difference in those staggering statistics.



Flood, a journalism and communication for online media bachelor degree student, will join hundreds on the SUNYIT campus during the annual Out of the Darkness Community Walk to benefit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) on Sept. 22 from noon to 2 p.m.



Flood, of Bridgewater, has participated on various teams in the past, but this year she will lead a Morrisville State College crew comprised of co-workers on the college's student-run newspaper, The CHIMES, along with its advisor, Brian McDowell, of Hamilton, assistant professor of journalism. Her mother, Melinda Flood, of Bridgewater and other family members will also join the cause, along with fellow classmates.



The CHIMES team will be clad in yellow t-shirts emblazoned with inspirational quotes written by each member.



Flood's shirt will memorialize her cousin who lost his life to suicide nearly five years ago.



To Flood, who has participated four years, the event is a way to connect with the community.



“It is very important to reach out and support the community to raise awareness about suicide,” she said. “For the most part, this is something most people only get involved with when it directly affects them.”



Overall awareness and researching mental illnesses are keys to preventing suicide. “The more people who get involved, the more lives we can help save,” Flood said.



More than 250 Out of the Darkness community walks will take place across the country this fall. The events join together thousands of people nationwide to raise money and awareness to prevent suicide and save lives.



Money raised will assist the AFSP in their crusade to lower suicide by funding vital research and educational programs to prevent suicide, increase national awareness about depression and suicide, and provide support for survivors of suicide.



The Morrisville Auxiliary Corporation (MAC) will provide shuttle bus transportation to students participating to the event. The college's student dining center will also be helping to collect donations and to raise awareness about the event.



For more information, visit www.afsp.org. To make an online donation, search for a participants name on www.outofthedarkness.org and click on “support this participant.”