LU to host walk for mental health awareness
October 06, 2021 | by Daniel Houston
In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Week, LU is set to host “Southeast Texas Out of the Darkness: Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Walk” to support suicide prevention and encourage the Southeast Texas community to walk side-by-side in memory of those we’ve lost. 
“Suicide prevention and awareness are important for everyone, not just the college campus,” said Marie Murray, assistant director of Health Education Services at the Student Health Center. “Events like these give people the courage to open up about their own connections while creating a culture that’s smarter about mental health.”
The “Out of the Darkness” walk is coordinated by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and sponsored by the Spindletop Center, Baptist Behavioral Health, Legacy Community Health and other LU faculty, staff, and representatives. So far, AFSP has raised over $16,000 in Southeast Texas with the hope of funding local and nationwide initiatives like suicide prevention education programs in schools.
“The Out of the Darkness walk is a great way for students, faculty and staff to get out and bring awareness and show support,” Murray said. “Everyone is encouraged to grab their friends, family and organizations and create a team to show support.”
The walk is set to take place on Saturday, Oct. 9 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The starting location will be outside the Setzer Student Center at the circle drive entrance. Campus and community resources pertaining to suicide awareness and mental health will also have tables located outside and inside the Student Health Center, and the walk portion of the event will take participants in a one-mile loop around the campus.
For more information, students, faculty, staff, and community members can reach out to Marie Murray at (409) 800-8466, or Alá Abbott at (409) 781-0784.
“Suicide prevention and awareness are important for everyone, not just the college campus,” said Marie Murray, assistant director of Health Education Services at the Student Health Center. “Events like these give people the courage to open up about their own connections while creating a culture that’s smarter about mental health.”
The “Out of the Darkness” walk is coordinated by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and sponsored by the Spindletop Center, Baptist Behavioral Health, Legacy Community Health and other LU faculty, staff, and representatives. So far, AFSP has raised over $16,000 in Southeast Texas with the hope of funding local and nationwide initiatives like suicide prevention education programs in schools.
“The Out of the Darkness walk is a great way for students, faculty and staff to get out and bring awareness and show support,” Murray said. “Everyone is encouraged to grab their friends, family and organizations and create a team to show support.”
The walk is set to take place on Saturday, Oct. 9 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The starting location will be outside the Setzer Student Center at the circle drive entrance. Campus and community resources pertaining to suicide awareness and mental health will also have tables located outside and inside the Student Health Center, and the walk portion of the event will take participants in a one-mile loop around the campus.
For more information, students, faculty, staff, and community members can reach out to Marie Murray at (409) 800-8466, or Alá Abbott at (409) 781-0784.