Charlotte Shields-Rossi | staff writer

Despite the cold and rain, an energized and noisy group of students, staff and the public gathered in Oakland’s William Pitt Union Plaza preparing to walk for a greater cause.

On Saturday, the University of Pittsburgh hosted the annual “Out of Darkness Campus Walk,” a suicide prevention walk hosted by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP).

Zoe Fisher, president of Pitt’s AFSP chapter, was in attendance. The junior nursing major has a close connection to the cause.

“In high school, I struggled with depression. I didn’t really feel like I had the community that I needed to be able to thrive. Thankfully, I was able to find resources for myself and feel like I’m in a much better place now,” Fisher said. “I really wanted to give back to people in my position.”

In 2022, the Nursing Student Association at Pitt organized the first “Out of the Darkness Walk” on their campus, then, those nursing students went on to form the university’s chapter of AFSP. This year, their chapter was able to raise $12,000. The donated money goes to AFSP national, where they research suicide prevention, advocate for survivors of suicide and create and distribute educational programs, Fisher said.

The 276 participants could be seen grabbing coffee, taking pictures with Roc the Panther and visiting booths with AFSP merchandise before they began their walk around the Cathedral of Learning two times. Some participants took honor beads, different color necklaces that symbolize how individuals are connected to the cause of suicide prevention and awareness. Each attendee could choose beads and colors they felt closely connected to. Some chose to wear rainbow beads to show support for the LGBTQ+ community, others wore silver beads dedicated to first responders and military members that died by suicide.

“The beads are a subtle way to show why you are walking. It’s really to show that we all have different reasons as to why we are here, but we’re here for the same general reason, to come and support each other,” Fisher said.

Michelle Nowlin, a volunteer, wore white and orange honor beads. White symbolized the loss of her son and orange symbolized the loss of her brother, both of whom died by suicide in 2019.

Nowlin first heard about the event through her late son’s co-worker. Months after her son’s death she began volunteering at the walks.

“I walked the walk, and it was hard. It was probably the hardest thing I have ever had to do,” Nowlin said.

After her first walk, Nowlin went to therapy and realized that although hard, these events have been helpful in her healing journey.

“My son was 20 years old when he passed, and I didn’t know. I didn’t see the signs. Being able to talk to people and get people to open up and share their experiences helps me understand a little more about what he was experiencing,” Nowlin said “It helps my heart to be able to talk to people and let them know that they are loved.”

Lauren Simon, sophomore neuroscience and psychology major at Pitt, goes to the event every year. Simon wore a blue-beaded necklace for general support of the cause as well as a purple necklace, remembering a friend she lost to suicide.

“I know what its like to be affected by the loss of someone by suicide, so I want to help raise awareness for it,” Simon said.

Simon walked alongside her friends and sorority sisters, and she personally raised $250.

“It’s important, especially, to the college-age students because a lot of us are affected by it,” Simon said.

Suicide is the second leading cause of death for people age 10 to 24, according to the United States Centers for Disease Control.

Francesca Procaccino, junior psychology major at Pitt, could be seen wearing a purple honor bead in remembrance of a friend she lost in high school to suicide.

Procaccino joined AFSP her freshman year and is currently on the board serving as the outreach chair. She will become president of the organization next fall. Procaccino said not only is the organization important, but hosting the walks each year also is vital.

“We want to make sure people know that they don’t struggle alone. I think that we all agree that on a college campus, this goes overlooked way too frequently, we want to provide a safe space for everyone,” Procaccino said.

Procaccino enjoys the walk because of the sense of community it fosters.

“Everyone’s out here. Everyone’s close together,” Procaccino said. “We just want to make sure everyone feels like there is a community that they’ve built and that no one is truly lost.”

Those facing mental health struggles or in need of emotional support can call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988, text TALK to 741741 or visit afsp.org.