Walk For Suicide Awareness, Prevention In Chatham On Sept. 18

CHATHAM, NJ — “BeTheVoice” is the theme of Morris County’s sixth annual “Out of the Darkness” Walk to help raise awareness about suicide and help fight back against it, on Saturday, Sept. 18.

The walk starts at Cougar Field in Chatham Township on 314 Shunpike Road, with registration at 4 p.m. that day, the ceremony and walk starting at 5 p.m.

Organizers for Morris County’s event, according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention website, have a $67,000 fundraising goal to reach, with close to $53,000 raised as of Sept. 8.

Curt Ritter, former Chatham Township Mayor and a co-chair of the walk, said suicide is the 10th leading cause of death nationwide and 11th in New Jersey.

"The time to act is now, and we hope that our ongoing efforts to shine a bright light on this important issue will help bring greater awareness of suicide prevention and raise much needed funds for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention," Ritter said, especially with the pandemic manifesting issues with the emotional health of New Jerseyans.

The last five walks, he said, have raised a collective $400,000.

Among gold sponsors, he named: Chatham Township Volunteer Fire Department, DiFrancesco Bateman Law Firm, Green Village Fire Department, Paul Miller Auto Group and Soltex. Silver sponsors, Ritter said, include: Barth's Market, Begum Palace, Creekside Farm, Daddy Matty's BBQ, Maplecrest Ford of Mendham, Mexican Spice, Morristown PBA Local 43, Viking Pest and Weichert Realtors. Among the bronze sponsors are: Chatham Borough PBA local #226, Chatham Township PBA #170, Hickory Tree Landscaping, Kienlen Lattmann Sotheby’s International Realty, Peapack-Gladstone Bank and Weichert Realtors of Mendham.

According to the organization, the Out of the Darkness Walks started in 2004, in memory of those lost. The walks raise awareness about suicide, with intentions to lessen the risks and provide mental health support to those who need it.

The organization states the walks benefit by investing "in life-saving research, education, advocacy and support for those impacted by suicide.”

Even COVID-19 couldn’t sideline the 2020 effort, with modified walks called “Out of the Darkness Experiences,” which helped to raise awareness in a socially distanced way.

There is no registration fee for participants, but a minimum fundraising goal of $150 is a suggested, for those who would like to fundraise for the group.

It is encouraged that those who would like to walk should register, in order to receive updates in case there are changes to the walk schedule.

To donate or to register for the Morris County walk, click here for more information. Anyone with questions may call Elizabeth Clemens from the organization at 908-514-6028 or eroithmayr@afsp.org.

Questions or comments about this story? Have a news tip? Contact me at: jennifer.miller@patch.com.