July 9, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Annual Santa Monica Out of the Darkness Community Walk Returns This Weekend to Fight Suicide

The Santa Monica Out of the Darkness Community Walk is one of more than 550 Out of the Darkness Overnight, Community and Campus Walks being held nationwide this year

This weekend volunteers from Los Angeles are joining the quarter of a million people walking in towns across the United States to draw attention to the fight for suicide prevention. 

The annual Santa Monica Out of the Darkness Community Walk, hosted by the Greater Los Angeles & Central Coast Chapter will be held at 10:00 a.m. October 22 (check in at 9:00 a.m.) at the 1400 block of Third Street Promenade. This walk supports the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s public education and support programs, life-saving research and advocacy work at the state and federal levels.

“Suicide touches one in five American families. We hope that by walking we will draw attention to this issue and keep other families from experiencing a suicide loss. Our ultimate goal is to save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide,” said Louisa Rocque, Executive Director, Greater Los Angeles & Central Coast.  

The Santa Monica Out of the Darkness Community Walk is one of more than 550 Out of the Darkness Overnight, Community and Campus Walks being held nationwide this year. The walks are expected to unite more than 300,000 walkers and raise millions for suicide prevention efforts. Last year, these walks raised over $21 million for suicide prevention. The Santa Monica Walk raised over $170,000 and had over 1,000 participants in 2021. 

Speakers and musical performances at the Santa Monica Out of the Darkness Community Walk will include Jessica Curry, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s CEO Bob Gebbia, Scott Kirkland (The Crystal Method), Kate VogelX. Ari, Audley, and more. The program’s emcee will be Audacy’s , Ally Johnson , co-host of the Klein/Ally morning show on KROQ 106.7 FM. 

“These walks are about turning hope into action,” said AFSP CEO Robert Gebbia. “The research has shown us how to fight suicide, and if we keep up the fight, the science is only going to get better and our culture will get smarter about mental health. With the efforts of our courageous volunteers, and a real investment from our nation’s leaders, we hope to significantly reduce the suicide rate in the United States.” 

The Santa Monica Out of the Darkness Walk’s presenting sponsor is ColourPop, and includes additional local sponsors, such as Ascend Agency, Diane Dorin/Compass, Kendra Scott, Find Your Anchor, Octave, Engage Treatment, the LA Outpatient Center, Savvy P., Megilla, Providence, The David Sliff Memorial Foundation, and the STIGMA app

Fighting suicide doesn’t stop after the Out of the Darkness Walk is over. At 6:00 p.m. PDT on October 22, Audacy’s star-studded We Can Survive concert, returns to the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles for its ninth year, with it’s 2022 edition, featuring performances from Alanis MorrisetteHalseyWeezerOneRepublicGarbageTate McRae, and more! The concert is part of Audacy’s efforts to elevate a much-needed conversation about mental health and support those who may be struggling. A portion of the concert’s proceeds will be donated to AFSP. Last year, the concert raised over $800,000 for the organization

“We could not be more grateful for the partnership with Audacy, bringing awareness and encouraging conversation on such an important topic. Music is such a beautiful way of bringing people together. We appreciate all of the artists who are performing encouraging their fans to be open about what they’re going through and to be there for the people in their lives by having a #RealConvo about mental health. We can all make a difference,” stated Louisa Rocque, executive director of the Greater Los Angeles and Central Coast Chapter of AFSP.

To sign up for the Santa Monica Out of the Darkness Walk, please visit www.afsp.org/lawalk. Tickets for Audacy’s We Can Survive concert can be purchased here.

<>Related Posts

Santa Monica Council Votes in Support of Park-Centric Future at Airport Site

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The decision followed a contentious meeting with over 140 public speakers and more than 1,000 emails received by the council...

Housing for Health Chief Appointed to Lead Unified Homeless Services Department

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

Veteran Housing Advocate to Oversee Streamlined LA County Services The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday confirmed the...

‘Adoptapalooza’ Pet Adoption Festival Returns to Main Street This Weekend

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The free, family-friendly event aims to connect adoptable animals with new owners Green Dog Dental & Veterinary Center will host...

Virtual Town Hall to Discuss Proposed Resilient Rebuilding Authority

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The agency, to be run by political appointees, would manage permitting, development, zoning, and funding, modeled after post-disaster recoveries Los...

New Agenda Coaching: Changing Lives in LA

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Students Work Toward Applied Success with Executive Function Coaching Services The demands of daily routines and studies sometimes bear weight...

Saint Monica Prep Students Win Award for Anti-Street Racing PSA Video

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

The winning public service announcement, titled “Not Worth It,” was highlighted in a post on X by @LADOTofficial  Students from...

Anti-Drunk Driving Resolution Introduced as City Council Honors Late Palisades Teen Killed in Crash

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Levi, who was set to attend the University of Virginia this fall, was killed by a drunk driver on May...

Free and Reduced Price School Meals Available for Eligible Families in Santa Monica-Malibu District

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Parents in Need Encouraged to Apply, SMMUSD Commits to Nutritious, Accessible Meals By Brandyi Phillips, SMMUSD Chief Communications Officer Santa...

Big Blue Bus to Raise Fares for First Time in Nearly a Decade

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

The fare increase aims to offset rising costs for fuel, utilities, and supplies, according to the agency. The Santa Monica...

Shore Hotel: A Local Destination for Summer Fun

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Bring on all things summer. Walking or biking along Santa Monica Pier, you might find yourself taking a pause at...

Santa Monica’s 150th Anniversary to be Celebrated with Vibrant State of the City Event

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets, beach chairs, and picnics to enjoy during the performances Santa Monica will mark its...

Soprano Golda Zahra Returns to BroadStage For a One-Night-Only Musical Celebration

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

Hailed as “the rising star of the opera world” by The Hollywood Times, internationally acclaimed soprano Golda Zahra makes her much-anticipated return to BroadStage in...

(Video) Hundreds of Drones Light up the Sky for Palisades to Celebrate July 4th

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

The Event Marked One of the First Large Gatherings Among Palisadians Since the January Wildfires. The Event Marked One of...

Transform Your Life: The Free Virtual ONENESS GLOBAL SUMMIT Debuts July 18-20, 2025

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

The ONENESS GLOBAL SUMMIT, a transformative three-day virtual event, is coming, July 18-20, 2025, offering participants worldwide a free opportunity...

Santa Monica Home Defies Convention: Architect Eric Owen Moss Debuts Shape-Shifting Design

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

Pistachio-Colored Marvel Boasts Curving Walls, Sharp Angles, and Challenging Design A striking residence in Santa Monica is turning heads with...