Community members gathered on the Atlantic City Boardwalk on Sunday, Sept. 20, for the seventh annual Atlantic-Cape Out of the Darkness Walk at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City.
The event benefited the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to saving lives and supporting people affected by suicide. Participants walked together to honor loved ones, raise awareness, support survivors and help fund suicide prevention research, education and advocacy.
Registration began at 9 a.m., followed by the walk at 10 a.m. outside Hard Rock at 1000 Boardwalk.
Hard Rock Atlantic City has sponsored the local walk since 2018, helping unite residents, families, advocates and community organizations around the shared goal of preventing suicide. Through that ongoing partnership, the Atlantic-Cape walk has raised more than $1 million and grown into the largest Out of the Darkness event in New Jersey.
Out of the Darkness walks are held in communities across the country, giving people affected by suicide an opportunity to connect, remember those they have lost and demonstrate support for mental health awareness and suicide prevention.
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention supports research, public education, advocacy and resources for people who have lost someone to suicide or experienced suicidal thoughts. The organization also works to reduce the stigma that can prevent people from seeking help.
Sunday’s gathering continued Hard Rock Atlantic City’s longstanding support of the foundation and its work throughout the region.
Anyone experiencing a mental health crisis or concerned about someone else can call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for free, confidential support available 24 hours a day.
Photos by Tom Briglia/PhotoGraphics
