By Charlotte Murphy, IU Corps Intern
On Sunday, October 19, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) is hosting their Bloomington Out of the Darkness Walk. The Out of the Darkness Walk is to raise money for suicide prevention and awareness. It also provides a supportive space for those affected by suicide to share their stories and find community.
Lisa Osmon is the Walk Chair for the Bloomington Walk and got involved in 2021.
“I was invited to my first walk in 2019 after a friend of mine had learned that my daughter had a mental health crisis a few years prior to that,” Osmon said. “When we found out about the walk, I wanted to take [my daughter]. I wanted her to see that she wasn’t alone in her struggle. The walk was really impactful, so in 2021 I joined the committee and then last year was my first year as the chair.”
The Out of the Darkness Walk is just one way that AFSP taps into local resources. In Indiana, there are 10 walks annually.
“The funds that we raise go towards providing literature, research, and advocacy and training individuals to present to high schools, colleges, and communities,” Osmon said. “A lot of our funding goes to 988, the suicide and crisis lifeline, because we are the largest private supporter of it.”
The walk itself is a great event to attend and has various activities to participate in. Registration opens at noon, and participants can mingle around the area, spend time with vendors, and enjoy.
“We have 35 vendors participating this year and a little girl coming up from Orange County to perform,” Osmon said. “We also have a couple of art therapists that are coming, the VA crisis van will be there, the Stride Mobile Crisis Unit, and a couple other surprises. I’m really overwhelmed with the amount of support that the community has provided and wanting to be represented with this walk, which is so exciting.”
Osmon is a volunteer on the AFSP board, and anyone can join their committee.
“There are plenty of opportunities to volunteer,” Osmon said. “Go to the 2025 Bloomington Out of the Darkness Walk on Facebook and scan the QR code. It’ll take you to my e-mail address and anyone can email me. I’ll ask a couple questions and plug you in where you think that you would fit best.”
For students interested in participating in or volunteering for the Out of the Darkness Walk, check out their Facebook page or the AFSP website.
