Students And Faculty Walk For Suicide Awareness – From A Distance

Gabriella Pinos/Opinion Director

Despite the chaos surrounding the coronavirus, students and faculty at FIU are coming together – virtually – for suicide prevention.

The FIU Out of the Darkness Walk, created by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, is held every year to raise awareness for suicide prevention. Participants walk two miles since suicide is the second leading cause of death among college students, according to Associate Vice President of Student Health and Wellness Breny DaParre Garcia, who led the initiative.

Although the event typically takes place in person, the sixth annual walk took place virtually on Saturday, March 21, with participants encouraged to walk anywhere and anytime.

“What encouraged me to participate despite COVID-19 was the amount of families I see outside now enjoying their own company,” said Ella Basco, a sophomore and nursing major who took part in the walk. “…I could imagine many people that no longer have that individual in their life anymore to enjoy their company like the families I see outside enjoying that fresh air.”

Those who wished to participate registered online either as an individual or as a team. Selena Sifontes, health educator at the Healthy Living Program, organized a team with members, friends and family of HLP for the event. Due to the rapid turn of events surrounding the virus, her plans to participate were very last minute.

“I was supposed to be out traveling internationally as of yesterday,” said Sifontes. “Everything kind of solidified in the sense that my trip was cancelled, I definitely wasn’t going to be going anywhere and I decided, ‘Let me finally put together the HLP team.’”

Typically, participants wear honor beads the day of the walk, with different colors signifying their personal connection to the cause. This year, however, FIU VEP encouraged participants to share their bead color on social media using #FIUOutofDarkness. Basco chose blue in support of suicide prevention.

Sifontes, who has personally struggled with suicide and suicide ideation, chose green as one of her colors to represent her experience.

“That alone was enough for me to be inspired to participate,” said Sifontes, who also chose blue, purple to represent the loss of a relative or friend, and teal to support someone who struggles or attempted suicide.

Suicide is an issue has affected members of the University on a personal level. Last February, a student lost his life outside of Parking Garage 5 due to suicide. Incidents like these encouraged people like Sifontes to sign up for the walk amid the pandemic.

“No matter the whole coronavirus situation…I was going to commit and go through this walk. I’m just happy there was still an opportunity to participate and do the walk virtually,” she said.

FIU Counseling and Psychological Services also encouraged its followers on Instagram to walk not only for the cause, but to alleviate some of the effects of social distancing.

“Walking has a lot of benefits, not just exercise. It can help you clear your mind and give you some perspective,” said Wendy Ordóñez, coordinator of outreach and educational media for VEP, on Instagram. “So, if you’re feeling a little off while you’re experiencing social isolation, I recommend that you go out at least for five minutes. It’s going to help you definitely with your mental health.”  

“…everybody is going to benefit from getting outside and being active for a little bit during these times,” agreed Sifontes.

Those who can’t or don’t wish to walk can still support the cause by donating to the AFSP. The organization also invites participants to be a part of their Stream Team, where they can raise funds through a live streaming service of their choice such as Twitch, YouTube or Mixer. As of publishing time, the campus walk has raised $9,980, exceeding the original $5,000 goal.

Basco hopes that events like these will bring much needed attention to a cause that can save lives.

“I just wanted to be a part of something that brings awareness to people that you aren’t and shouldn’t ever be alone,” she said.

For more information, visit afsp.org/fiu.

Featured image courtesy of American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

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