The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is hosting their annual Out of the Darkness Community Walk this Saturday, October 19, 2019. Registration for the walk opens at 8:45am and open ceremonies start at 10:00am. The walk has a new location this year at the Santa Monica Pier.

The Out of the Darkness Greater Los Angeles Walk brings people together for a three-mile walk while raising funds to help fight suicide and support those touched by suicide in the community. The event includes speakers, entertainment, remembrance activities, and a community resource fair. You can help make a difference in the lives of those touched by suicide when you participate in this oceanfront walk in Santa Monica.

There is no charge to participate, but donations are welcome. Sign up ahead of time on the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s website at www.afsp.org/lawalk. You can also register onsite on the day of the walk between 8:45AM-10:00AM. The walk is 2.4 miles roundtrip, starting at the world-famous Santa Monica Pier, going up Ocean Avenue to Montana Street, and back down the coast.

Participants in the Out of the Darkness Walk join in the effort with hundreds of thousands of people to raise awareness and funds that allow the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) to invest in new research, create educational programs, advocate for public policy, and support survivors of suicide loss. AFSP has set a goal to reduce the annual suicide rate by 20% by 2025.

Getting to the Walk

The Out of the Darkness Walk begins at the Santa Monica Pier. Save time and money and don’t stress out over traffic by taking the Metro Expo Line in the morning. The Pier is located a short 10 minute walk from the Downtown Santa Monica Expo Line stop. Once you exit the Metro, just keep heading west down Colorado Street and you’ll be at the Pier in three blocks. The Santa Monica Pier is also serviced by many bus lines – Big Blue Bus Lines 7, 8 & 10 and LA Metro Bus lines 20, 720, 33, & 733 all stop at the Pier.

If you drive, there are several different options for parking at the Santa Monica Pier. If you arrive early enough, you can park directly on the Pier deck. Other options include Lot 1 North, the all day beach-level lot just north of the Pier, the Civic Center Lot, or one of the many Downtown Santa Monica City parking structures.

Photo courtesy of AFSP.