On Saturday, October 5, members of the Saint Joseph's College of Maine Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) gathered in two southern Maine locations to participate in the Out of the Darkness Walk, an event designed to raise awareness and funding to support those affected by suicide.   Sanctioned nationally by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, the Out of the Darkness Walk brings together individuals committed to reinforcing the message that suicide can be prevented and that no person need to feel alone in his or her darkest hour.

The Saint Joseph's College Out of the Darkness Walk event was organized by Monk head skiing coach Margot Cosentino, campus wellness coordinator Jenna Chase '11, head field Hockey coach and SAAC advisor Theresa Arsenault '14, and members of the college's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.  Two separate venues were used – the Back Cove Exercise Trail in Portland and the Saint Joseph's College Athletic Facility track.   Given the fact that the date of the event coincided with the campus's Homecoming celebration, SJC SAAC President Anthony Samiotes '25 (Hampstead, New Hampshire) and Vice-President Audra Gearin '25 (Salisbury, Massachusetts) spearheaded an effort to provide a virtual on-campus option for those members of the college community who were unable to participate in Portland.

SAAC President Samiotes kicked off the on-campus event with an impactful speech that addressed not only the importance of the cause, but the commitment of the college community in embracing the spirit of service which lies at the heart of the SJC mission.   "[People contemplating suicide] feel like they are alone in their struggles," observed Samiotes while addressing the large group of students gathered at the college track.  "I think that [this gathering] shows we have strength in numbers, and anything you're going through, you're not in it alone."

For more information about the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and the Out of the Darkness walks, go to www.supporting.afsp.org.   If a person feels if he or she is in crisis, please call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting 741-741.