MSW Students and Staff Attend Walk for Suicide Prevention

On Sunday, September 30, students and staff from the Pacific University Master of Social Work program attended the Out of the Darkness Walk in Eugene, OR.

The Out of the Darkness Walk is organized by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Their goal is to reduce the annual suicide rate 20 percent by 2025.

Professor Del Quest said, “Students from both cohorts joined over 750 Eugene residents at the annual Out of the Darkness walk on September 30, 2018. This walk supports all those impacted by the loss of someone to suicide. Members of Pacific University’s MSW Social Work club organized the team that walked and raised money for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.”

The Eugene event took place at Alton Baker Park. MSW students, staff, and local community members gathered to hear stories and honor those who struggle with mental health and those who have died by suicide.

For Elizabeth Mann MSW ’20, “It was really powerful to be in the community, to see how many people’s lives have been touched by suicide and to see how many people were invested in making a difference and supporting others.”

For Professor Del Quest, “It was amazing that so many students were there in solidarity.”