Twin Cities “Out of the Darkness Walk” to Raise Awareness, Hope, and Support for Suicide Prevention
Register Here: https://afspwalks.donordrive.com/TwinCities
TWIN CITIES, MINNESOTA—The Twin Cities community will come together this fall to take a collective step toward hope and healing at the Out of the Darkness Walk, part of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s (AFSP) nationwide movement to raise awareness and support for suicide prevention efforts.
This year’s event is scheduled for Sunday, September 14, 2025, and will take place at Como Regional Park in St. Paul, Minnesota. Ivy Bowers, who is serving as this year’s Walk Chair, says the cause is deeply personal.
“I lost my friend, Steven, to suicide in 2023,” Bowers shared. “Even before then, I’ve been committed to this cause—educating others, supporting fellow loss survivors, and advocating for better mental health care. We walk to show that no one has to struggle in silence.”
The Out of the Darkness Walk is one of hundreds held in cities across the country, all under the umbrella of AFSP’s mission: to save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide. These community walks raise awareness, foster connection, and serve as a powerful reminder that suicide is preventable and help is available.
In Minnesota, suicide remains a pressing public health concern. According to AFSP, suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in the state, and the second leading cause among people ages 15–34. In 2023 alone, 812 Minnesotans died by suicide, representing more than 16,000 years of potential life lost before the age of 65.
“These numbers are staggering, but every single one of those lives mattered,” Bowers emphasized. “We must do more.”
Through remembrance, advocacy, and community support, the Twin Cities walk aims to spark life-saving conversations in households across Minnesota and provide a platform for healing.
“Together,” Bowers said, “we can stop suicide.”
To learn more or to register for the walk, visit: afsp.org/TwinCities
If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. Contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988 at any time.
Written by: Will Wight
