The University of Arkansas at Little Rock is fighting the epidemic of suicide by holding a suicide prevention walk on Saturday, April 13. 

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.

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

Registration will begin at 11 a.m. Dr. Mark Allen Poisel, vice chancellor for student affairs, will give the welcome at noon, while the one-mile walk around campus will begin at 12:15 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. Those who cannot attend the walk in person can also join as virtual walkers. All proceeds will go to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

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 Kirk at hmkirk@ualr.edu or 501-569-8651.

In the upper right photo, over 100 students, faculty, staff, alumni, and members of the public walked in the 2018 Out of Darkness Suicide Prevention Walk at UA Little Rock. Photo by Benjamin Krain.