News Story
March 22, 2023
La Roche Out of the Darkness Walk to Raise Awareness for Suicide Prevention March 31
PITTSBURGH, March 22, 2023 – La Roche University will partner with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) to host an Out of the Darkness Walk on Friday, March 31 at 6 p.m.
The Out of Darkness Walk will raise awareness and much-needed funds while strongly sending the message that suicide is preventable, and that no one is alone. The walk is part of a nationwide initiative to raise awareness about the importance of mental health.
Check-in and pre-walk activities begin at 5 p.m. on Bold Hall lawn at La Roche’s campus in the North Hills. The program begins at 6 p.m., with a lantern release following the walk.
The event is free and open to the public. No minimum donation is required. Register at afsp.org/laroche.
“We hope to show people there are others in the world who are willing to help and listen,” said sophomore Jenna Hotovec. “The purpose of the walk is to bring the community together as one and prevent suicide.”
The Out of the Darkness Campus Walks are the AFSP’s signature student fundraising series, designed to engage youth and young adults in the fight to prevent suicide, the second leading cause of death among people ages 15-24.
In 2021 La Roche entered a four-year partnership with JED Campus to focus on enhancing and expanding mental health services to the whole campus community. As a signature program of The JED Foundation, JED Campus offers schools customized support to help build upon existing student mental health, substance use and suicide prevention efforts.
AFSP funds research, spreads education, provides support to those affected by suicide and advocates for smart public policy.
For more information contact Tori Ciprello at toriciprello@gmail.com or Emily Shimko at emily.shimko@laroche.edu.
###
About La Roche University: A private liberal arts university in the North Hills of Pittsburgh, La Roche University offers 66 undergraduate programs of study, six master’s degrees and one doctoral degree, with particular strengths in education, business, criminal justice, psychology, nursing, and health and medical sciences as well as interior architecture & design and graphic design. This residential university provides a vibrant campus community for nearly 1,200 men and women enjoying 30-plus student organizations and an exciting NCAA Div. III athletics program. Founded by the Sisters of Divine Providence in 1963, La Roche University embraces its Catholic heritage while welcoming people of all faiths and backgrounds. With a legacy of social justice and a commitment to international exchange, La Roche University educates students to be lifelong learners and achievers in an increasingly diverse and global society.