Palm Desert Among RivCo Cities To Hold Suicide Prevention Walks

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — A pair of Riverside County cities will host upcoming walks for suicide prevention and mental health awareness, county officials said Tuesday.

The annual events will occur on Sept. 28 in Riverside and Oct. 19 in Palm Desert, according to calendar listings in each city. The Riverside walk will take place in Fairmount Park, located at 2601 Fairmount Blvd., and the Palm Desert Walk will begin in Civic Center Park, located at 43900 San Pablo Ave.

Both walks will start at 9 a.m.

"Each life matters, and in Riverside County, we are committed to doing everything in our power to prevent the tragedy of suicide," Fourth District Supervisor V. Manuel Perez said in a statement. "The Out of Darkness Walks are a powerful reminder that we stand united in this mission."

The events are co-sponsored by the Riverside University Health System (RUHS) and the Riverside County Suicide Prevention Coalition, the latter of which was founded by the Board of Supervisors in 2020 as an outreach and education-focused partnership of local organizations and agencies.

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) is also an official partner.

During the walks, participants will be able to connect, share stories, honor suicide victims through memorial activities and take advantage of education and support resources, according to city officials.

"Riverside County has made significant strides in suicide prevention, achieving a 16 percent decrease in suicide rates from 2019 to 2022," First District Supervisor Kevin Jeffries said in a statement. "However, each life lost is a tragedy, and continued efforts are essential to support those at risk."

Donations and fundraising options are also available for those who can't attend in-person.

Information on registration, donation and other aspects of the walks can be found at https://www.ruhealth.org/events/out-of-darkness-walks-24.