Walk With Us

The Nashville Out of the Darkness Community Walk is a journey of remembrance, hope, and support. It unites our communities and provides an opportunity to acknowledge the ways in which suicide and mental health conditions have affected our lives and the lives of those we love and care about.

By registering for the walk on Sunday, October 29, 2023, you are joining a strong community united in an effort to fight suicide while showing up for yourself, recognizing and honoring those you love, raising awareness, educating communities, supporting one another, and sharing hope.

Every dollar you raise through the Nashville Walk allows AFSP to invest in life-saving research, education, advocacy, and support for those impacted by suicide.

Walk Date: 10/29/2023
Walk Location: Centennial Park - Nashville, TN
Registration & Pre-Walk Activities Begin: 12:00 pm
Opening Ceremony: 1:00pm
Walk Begins: 2:00 pm
Event Ends: 4:00pm

If you're looking for support and/or resources, please visit www.afsp.org/get-help and www.afsp.org/resources.

Contact Information

Walk Co-Chairs: 
- Brenda Williams-Denbo, 615-497-3288, afspbrendawd@gmail.com
- Angelynn Edwards, 615-478-9699, angelynn@elevatenashvilletn.com
- Lina Budesa, afsptnlina@gmail.com

When and where is the walk?The 1 mile walk is taking place on October 29th in the Musician's Corner area of Centennial Park, along the West End Avenue entrance. Registration and pre-walk activities begin at 12pm and the Opening Ceremony will begin at 2pm.

Where should I park? There is free parking throughout Centennial Park, as well as street parking around and near the park. Metro Parks officials also encourage Walkers to carpool or use Uber and Lyft to reduce the carbon footprint related to the Walk. 

Are dogs allowed at the walk?
Yes! We allow leashed dogs to participate in the walk. Therapy dogs will also be on site to provide extra comfort to Walkers.

Is there a registration fee or fundraising minimum?
No, there is no registration fee to participate. AFSP does not have a fundraising minimum, but we strongly encourage each participant to set a $150 fundraising goal to help support our work to stop suicide and receive the official walk t-shirt!

How do I make an offline donation?
To send a donation by check, please complete this form and send it with your check to the address provided. Donations will be accepted through 12/31/23.

Is the walk accessible to those with limited mobility and sensory friendly?
Yes, we hope everyone will be able to participate in the Nashville Walk. There is handicapped and limited mobility parking located directly next to the Event Center Pavilion. The walk route is a one-mile, flat, paved path and we have identified an alternate route for those who would like a shorter walk.

The walk is sensory friendly and there will be no loud noises or flashing lights.

Volunteer at the Walk

It takes a large group of volunteers to make the Nashville Walk a success! We're looking for people to help with set up, registration, activity tables, break down and more. If you would like to volunteer, please fill out this Volunteer Interest Form or contact Nashville Walk Volunteer Coordinator Lina Budesa: afsptnlina@gmail.com.

Create a Team

It's more fun to walk together! Gather friends, family, co-workers, classmates, and neighbors to walk with you on 10/29/2023.

Promote the Walk in Your Community! 

Download the walk flyer here to share with businesses, apartment buildings, etc. in your community.

Share on Social Media

Share your story, post photos, invite others to join you or donate to your fundraising efforts. Social media is a powerful tool!

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @afsptn, and don't forget to use #afsptennessee

Fundraise to Help #StopSuicide

When you raise $150 by 10/29/2023* you'll receive the official Out of the Darkness Walk t-shirt!

*In addition to fundraising online, you will be able to turn in additional cash or check donations on-site.

Become a Sponsor

Sponsoring the Nashville Walk shows the community and your employees that your business cares about mental health and suicide prevention. Become a sponsor and show Nashville your are together with us to stop suicide.

Art Therapy

We've partnered with local non-profit Your Heart on Art to offer healing art therapy and a space to express yourself with creativity and color. 

Honor Beads

We all wear honor beads - each color shows our personal connection to the cause, and helps us identify other who understand our experience. 

Why I Walk

Show Nashville why you walk by bringing a photo of a loved one and sharing a message of hope and healing.

Food Trucks

Before the Opening Ceremony begins, stop by our food trucks to grab lunch with your team.

AFSP Store

Stop by the AFSP Store to purchase hats, stickers, t-shirts, and more! Wear your AFSP swag and show the world you support suicide prevention.

Mental Health Festival
"Together We Are Stronger"

Elizabeth Averill created the event in honor of her brother Patrick Otto. At the festival you will be able to hands on try things to see what will work or not work for you, while also gathering ideas to help others. It’s a time to have fun, learn healthy coping mechanisms and be surrounded by a community because we are truly stronger together.

There will be therapy dogs walking around, lawn games to play, food trucks, and a service project to help package boxes for people seeking a pick me up for their mental health.

Service Project

Bring the following items with you to the walk to help Lauren Clements send mental health care packages to people in need of support!

• Notebooks
• Self-care items (face masks, lotion, bath bombs, chapstick, etc.)
• Water bottles / tumblers
• Fuzzy socks
   

Vendors

Vendors will include BraideBabes and Let's Be Real.

Let’s Be Real will have a space set up to hear stories of people who feel inclined to share. Let’s Be Real is a social movement to normalize people’s mental health journey through artistic photo and video.

Hands-On Activities

Rock painting
Journaling
Card making/letter writing
Coloring
Photo Booth
Jewelry making
Affirmation station
Body paint station

Main Stage Performances

MoveFit with Dani D. Fitness
Zumba with Lelsey Dennis
Vocal Activation / Somatic Workshop / Sacred Rage Release with Jourdan Rystrom
Yoga with
Austin Markham - musician
Grace Graber - musician
Scott DeClaire Jr. - musician