Welcome to the Maryland Out of the Darkness Walks Info Page
#BeTheVoice of suicide prevention in Maryland
We can’t wait to see you at the 2022 Maryland Out of the Darkness Community Walks!
Now, more than ever, it’s important to be there for one another and take steps to safeguard our mental health and prevent suicide.
#TogetherToFightSuicide
Registration is free and open to the public. Donations are accepted until December 31st.
Join an Out of the Darkness Walk Today!
Please select one of the Out of the Darkness Walks from the list below to get registered.
September 10, Carroll County Out of the Darkness Walk
September 17, Annapolis Out of the Darkness Walk
September 18, Montgomery County Out of the Darkness Walk
October 1, Ocean City Out of the Darkness Walk
October 1, Hagerstown Out of the Darkness Walk
October 8, Mid-Shore Out of the Darkness Walk
October 15, Frederick Out of the Darkness Walk
October 22, Howard County Out of the Darkness Walk
October 23, Southern Maryland Out of the Darkness Walk
October 29, Baltimore Out of the Darkness Walk
November 5, Havre de Grace Out of the Darkness Walk
For more information and to help organize a walk, please contact:
Kat Olbrich
Maryland and Delaware Area Director
202-770-8973
kolbrich@afsp.org
For a list of all upcoming events and educational trainings, visit www.afsp.org/maryland
Memorial Wall:
Maryland State Fact Sheet:
Maryland Chapter Contact:
Kat Olbrich | Area Director | 202-770-8973 | kolbrich@afsp.org
Want to be involved with our Maryland Chapter? If you're interested in learning more please complete our online volunteer form HERE and someone from our chapter will contact you!
Thank You for Supporting AFSP!
About the AFSP Maryland Chapter
The grassroots work we do focuses on eliminating the loss of life from suicide by: delivering innovative prevention programs, educating the public about risk factors and warning signs, raising funds for suicide research and programs, and reaching out to those individuals who have lost someone to suicide.
As a part of AFSP’s growing nationwide network of chapters, we bring together people from all backgrounds who want to prevent suicide in our communities. Families and friends who have lost someone to suicide, vulnerable individuals, mental health professionals, clergy, educators, students, community/business leaders, and many others energize our chapters.
The AFSP Maryland Chapter had an incredible year in 2021 because of the efforts of folks like you. When we raise funds, we increase public awareness and make huge strides in education, advocacy, outreach and research. Here are just a few of the highlights from our Chapter this past year:
- We adapted all our presentations to virtual, which allowed us to reach 2,000 people. In addition, AFSP rolled out three new programs: Introduction to Supporting Those at Risk, Gizmo’s Pawson Guide for Mental Health (ages 5-11), and It’s Real: Teens and Mental Health (ages 14-18).
- The Chapter hosted a virtual International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day event, allowing 50 suicide loss survivors to connect with each other.
- Trained volunteers continued to provide support for suicide loss survivors through AFSP’s Healing Conversations Program.
- This February, 2022 we hosted our 6th Maryland State Capitol Day event. Chapter board members provided testimonies, written and oral, on several occasions. 130 emails were sent to 76 legislative offices to urge them to take action on mental health and suicide prevention policies. Volunteers attended 45 plus meetings with legislators to share how mental health and suicide impacted their lives. The Chapter also participated in the FundMD988 Campaign to support Maryland’s local Crisis Centers when the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline switches from a 10-digit number to 9-8-8 on July 16, 2022.
Our staff and board members are actively participating in several County Suicide Prevention Coalitions, the Maryland Governor’s Challenge to Prevent Suicide among Military Service Members, Veterans, and Families, the Governor’s Commission on Suicide Prevention, the Maryland Behavioral Health Coalition, the 988 State Planning Grant Coalition, and FundMD988 Coalition.