Mayo Clinic in Florida sponsors Out of the Darkness Walk to raise awareness of mental health, suicide prevention
Mayo Clinic in Florida is sponsoring the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's Out of the Darkness Walk on Saturday, Oct. 28. The walk begins at 10 a.m. and will start at the Seawalk Pavilion at 75 First Street North, Jacksonville Beach.
The mission of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is to save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 1 in 5, or 22.8% of U.S. adults, experienced mental illness in 2021.
According to the latest Community Health Needs Assessment in Jacksonville, Florida, mental health was the No. 1 community health issue in all five Northeast Florida counties. Mayo Clinic in Florida has selected mental health, access to care, and chronic diseases as their top priority areas to address through sponsorships, grants, volunteerism and programs.
Through its sponsorship of the Out of the Darkness Walk, Mayo Clinic is helping community members share the stories of their loved ones lost to suicide and creating an open conversation about mental health. The funds raised through the walk will help create programs to educate and train the community about suicide prevention, reduce the stigma of mental health and create opportunities for research.
For Wendy Mercer, a psychometry supervisor in Psychology at Mayo Clinic in Florida, the loss of a loved one to suicide and watching family members struggle with mental health, the Out of the Darkness Walk is a place for her to make a difference. Mercer is leading a team from Mayo Clinic in Florida in the walk.
Mercer is passionate about raising awareness and educating people on suicide prevention with the aim of breaking the stigma of talking about mental health.
"I want to educate as many people as possible about the warning signs, and the help available," she says. "I want to share light, life and hope with those who are struggling."
Resources
A National Suicide Prevention Hotline number was launched last year to make it easier for people to seek help for mental health issues when needed. You can call or text "988" to receive mental health support. Visit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention website to learn more.