Saturday’s ‘Out of the Darkness’ Walk Marks 11 Years of Mental Health Support With New Wellness Activities

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) will introduce innovative self-care activities at its 11th Annual Out of the Darkness Greater Los Angeles Pasadena Walk this Saturday, Nov. 2.

The event, taking place at Pasadena’s Central Park, at 275 S. Raymond Ave. from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., represents a significant evolution in community mental health awareness efforts across Southern California.

“There is a lot more acceptance to real conversations about mental health,” said Kelly Manning, Special Events Manager for AFSP’s Greater Los Angeles and Central Coast Chapter. “Not to say the stigma has gone away, but we definitely see reduced stigma among many communities and many cultures where previously those communities and cultures that exist in our world often have stigmas that go back generations.”

Manning said there was such traumatic loss and a lot of struggle from the pandemic, but the organization was able to offer a significant amount of support in bringing virtual offerings and peer-to-peer therapy, peer-to-peer support and resources.

The walk’s new wellness offerings include chair yoga sessions, rock painting, greeting card creation, mindful coloring pages, and wood sculpture painting activities, according to Manning.

“We are embracing self-care as a need that we all have,” Manning said.

She also emphasized the importance of taking moments of self-care that can only be as little as five minutes a day. The event, she said, would also allow participants to express themselves “where some people aren’t comfortable verbally sharing their emotional struggle.”

The event is open to serve communities across Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo Counties, with registration remaining free and a suggested fundraising goal of $150.

Participants who raise $150 or more by Walk Day will receive the official walk T-shirt.

“Everyone is together with the same mission, the same purpose – to save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide and struggle,” Manning said.

A donation of $10 provides American Foundation for Suicide Prevention branded wristbands and outreach materials, while $50 supports suicide prevention education for 25 people, according to Manning.

The event welcomes friendly, leashed dogs, with on-site registration beginning at 9 a.m. and the main program commencing at 10 a.m.

Donations will be accepted until December 31st, with all proceeds supporting the foundation’s ongoing mental health awareness and suicide prevention initiatives.

For support and resources, visit www.afsp.org/get-help and www.afsp.org/resources. Additional questions can be directed to kmanning@afsp.org.