The University of Arkansas at Little Rock is fighting the epidemic of suicide by holding a suicide prevention walk on Saturday, April 7. 

UA Little Rock Counseling Services is partnering with the Arkansas chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention to hold an Out of Darkness Suicide Prevention Campus Walk beginning at the Donaghey Student Center mall area.

Registration will begin at 12:30 p.m. UA Little Rock Chancellor Andrew Rogerson will welcome the participants at 1 p.m. followed by comments from Mike Kirk, director of Counseling Services. The half-mile route through campus will begin around 1:15 p.m.

The walk is open to UA Little Rock students, faculty, staff, alumni, and members of the public. There is no cost to participate. Any participant who raises $100 will receive a T-shirt. All proceeds will go to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

“The intent for bringing the walk to campus is to encourage conversation about the serious issue of suicide,” Kirk said. “We also want to promote seeking help from a mental health professional as a positive behavior that healthy individuals participate in when appropriate.”

About 1,100 college students die from suicide every year, according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. In Arkansas, suicide is the third leading cause of death for those aged 15-24 and the 10th leading cause of death in the state.

Suicide prevention is especially important on college campuses since suicide is the second leading cause of death in the world for those ages 15-29, according to the World Health Organization.  

Participants may register by filling out this online link. For more information, contact Danna Wolters at dswolters@ualr.edu or 501-733-2562.