Wednesday, June 5, 2019

Denver Metro Hike for Hope is June 16th

Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States, yet suicide is preventable. On June 16th, volunteers will be to hiking at Red Rocks in the Denver Metro Hike for Hope being hosted by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) Chapter. The 1.5-mile hike will begin at Red Rocks Trading Post at 9:30 a.m., and the route will go throughout the scenic Red Rocks area. This fundraising hike supports the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s education, advocacy, and research programs, and the organization’s bold goal to reduce the annual rate of suicide 20 percent by 2025.

“Last year nearly 1,000 people across the United States participated in one of these Hike for Hope events,” said Nancy Medina, Chair of the AFSP Colorado Chapter. “By joining together in a community hike, we hope that people will realize that it’s important to take care of mental health as well as your physical health. Together, as a community, we can help prevent suicide.”

The Denver Metro Hike for Hope is one of many hikes being held by AFSP chapters nationwide this year. Funds raised at the Denver Metro Hike for Hope will support AFSP’s advocacy efforts, including helping fund the National Advocacy Forum, where AFSP volunteers visit Washington, D.C. annually to advocate for access to mental health services.

“These events are about creating greater awareness for mental health and suicide prevention,” said Dr. Christine Moutier, AFSP chief medical officer. “Participants in the Denver Metro Hike for Hope are doing their part to change the conversation about mental health conditions. Their public support of suicide prevention is the first step in making people realize that taking care of one’s mental health is the smart, strong thing to do.”

To register for this event, visit https://afsp.donordrive.com/event/COHikeforHope.