PELLA — In partnership with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, a group of Central College students will host an Out of the Darkness Walk on Sunday, May 3. The event will take place from noon to 3 p.m., beginning with a Support Fair in Maytag Student Center on Central’s campus.
The return of this event has been led by Kylie Carstens, Class of 2026 psychology major from Lake City, Iowa, along with Kaylee Kettler, Class of 2028 political science major from West Branch, Iowa, Alisa Smith, Class of 2026 business management major from Fostoria, Ohio, and Brianna VanGroll, Class of 2028 English major from Colesburg, Iowa. Mindy Graham-Hinners, assistant professor of psychology and 2000 Central graduate, and Stephanie Wise, assistant professor of political science, serve as faculty advisors.
The Out of the Darkness Campus Walks are the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s signature student fundraising events, designed to engage youth, young adults and their local communities in the fight to prevent suicide, a leading cause of death for young people.
“Because I’ve seen so many people I love go through the struggles of suicide, I wanted to show them hope in difficult moments,” Carstens says. “Hosting the walk allows us to create space where people feel comfortable talking about their mental health, so they see they are not alone in their struggles.”
Registration and a resource fair will begin at noon in the Maytag Student Center atrium. Speakers will present information at 1:15 p.m. in the Boat, Moore and Weller Rooms in Maytag before the one-mile walk, which starts at 2 p.m. As a fundraising event, all individuals who raise $100 or more will receive a free Out of the Darkness Walk T-shirt.
All are welcome to participate in this walk. Register or donate at afspwalks.donordrive.com/
