KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Close to 400 people turned out in Knoxville for this year’s Out of the Darkness Walk, a yearly statewide event that remembers people lost to suicide and pushes for more open talk about mental health.
Organizers counted 387 walkers, and the event brought in $27,770. The money goes to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, which uses walk proceeds to pay for research, community education and prevention advocacy.
Many walkers came to honor a family member or friend, while others came to share their own experiences and to remind people who are hurting that they are not alone.
Chloe Hanson, the foundation’s area director, said Tennessee’s suicide rate runs above the national average, which means the problem touches nearly every community in the state. She said research shows that talking about suicide openly, and removing the shame around it, is one of the best ways to get people to ask for help.
Help is available around the clock. The foundation pushed for a three-digit crisis number, and the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline went live nationwide in July 2022. Anyone in the country can call, text or chat 988 for free, confidential support with suicidal thoughts, mental health or substance use problems, or if they are worried about someone else.
In Tennessee, the statewide crisis line is 855-CRISIS-1. The McNabb Center in Knoxville runs a crisis line at 865-539-2409, and people can also text TN to 741-741 for help at any hour. The old 1-800-273-TALK number still connects callers as well.
Filed under: Knoxville TN Health News
