Nebraska’s annual Out of the Darkness Campus Walk for suicide prevention will begin at 2 p.m. April 7 at the Nebraska Union.

The fundraising walk supports the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s local and national education and advocacy programs, which aim to reduce the annual suicide rate by 20 percent by 2025.

“Suicide is the second-leading cause of death for people aged 15-24,” said Katy Bagniewski, Nebraska’s Out of the Darkness Campus Walk Advertising Chair. “We hope that by walking, we save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide.”

The walk is being held in conjunction with 150 nationwide walks this year. In total, the events are expected to unite more than 25,000 walkers and raise over one million dollars for suicide prevention efforts.

Last year’s walk raised over $17,445 and had 275 participants.

“We want to show the world that hope walks here in Nebraska,” Bagniewski said. “Eliminating stigma, understanding mental health conditions and saving lives from suicide are all challenging tasks, but these are problems that can be solved with proper funding and awareness.”

Register for the walk or make a donation here.