Livingston County and the Genesee Valley Health Partnership will join SUNY Geneseo and other community partners for the annual Out of the Darkness Campus Walk, scheduled for April 12. The event aims to raise funds and awareness about suicide prevention among youth and young adults.
The walk will begin at noon on the College Green at SUNY Geneseo, with on-site registration starting at 11 a.m. This local event is part of a national effort, with similar walks happening in cities across the country on the same day. Organizers have set a fundraising goal of $10,000 to benefit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
Lynne Mignemi, chairperson of the Livingston County Suicide Prevention Task Force, said: “The Livingston County Suicide Prevention Task Force has partnered with the Western New York Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and SUNY Geneseo students and employees for more than a decade in supporting the Out of the Darkness Walk. This collaboration connects community members and the SUNY Geneseo college community around a shared message of hope. Together, we honor those we’ve lost, support survivors, and connect people to resources that strengthen their mental health and well-being.”
Suicide remains an ongoing public health concern locally and nationally. Provisional data from federal agencies show that nearly 48,800 Americans died by suicide in 2024. According to recent reports from health organizations, Livingston County’s suicide rate stands at 13 deaths per 100,000 residents—higher than New York State’s average.
To address these concerns, Livingston County collaborates with local agencies such as Noyes Mental Health and Wellness Services, CASA Mental Health Services, its own Health Department, as well as programs like Lock and Talk Livingston—a county-led initiative modeled after Virginia’s statewide program—to provide education about suicide prevention. The county also operates clinics offering care from nurse practitioners and therapists in Geneseo and Mount Morris.
Anyone experiencing crisis can call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org for help.
