Out of the Darkness Walk brings awareness to central Iowa communities

ANKENY, Iowa — The Central Iowa Out of the Darkness Community Walk took place at DMACC on Sunday.

The walk began at 1 p.m. and followed a 1.2-mile-long path around the DMACC Ankeny Campus Lake. Around the event there were also stations with food and drinks, honor beads, activities, and speakers. Nick Neibauer performed live music during the event.

The event provides a safe and welcoming place for individuals and families to come together to support each other and face the realities of mental health. The walk also acts as a way to remember those who have lost their battle to mental health and suicide.

During the event speakers came forward to share their experiences and those of the loved ones they have lost to suicide. Sayli Simms and her mother began participating in the event in 2008 after losing her father to suicide in 2004. Simms gave a speech describing her and her family’s journey and the impact the walk and community has had on her life.

“It’s important to me to remember him in a loving way, so to support him is coming here and walking for him,” said Simms. “I think it’s a great thing to support your loved one that you’ve lost, it just makes you feel better.”

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention hosts these walks all around the country to bring awareness and support to communities. The Out of the Darkness movement began in 2004 and hosts a variety of events including community walks, campus walks, and overnight walks.

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