{"id":89475,"date":"2025-09-15T11:01:08","date_gmt":"2025-09-15T16:01:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/?p=89475"},"modified":"2025-09-15T11:02:55","modified_gmt":"2025-09-15T16:02:55","slug":"hays-area-out-of-the-darkness-community-walks-for-suicide-prevention","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/?p=89475","title":{"rendered":"Hays Area Out of the Darkness Community walks for suicide prevention\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>By RORY MOORE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Tiger Media Network<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Greater Kansas Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention hosted the annual Hays Area Out of the Darkness Community Walk at North Frontier Park on Saturday to support survivors of suicide loss.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The main objective of the walk was to raise awareness of suicide, which is a leading cause of death in the United States and Kansas.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThere\u2019s no one answer to do that,\u201d said Leigha Dobson, Hays walk chairwoman and AFSP Greater Kansas board member. \u201cIt\u2019s a combination of a lot of stuff. With AFSP, it\u2019s research-based. We go by statistics and mental health reports.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow aligncenter\" data-effect=\"slide\"><div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_container swiper-container\"><ul class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_swiper-wrapper swiper-wrapper\"><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"790\" height=\"471\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-89476\" data-id=\"89476\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Walk-1-of-8.jpg?resize=790%2C471\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Walk-1-of-8-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C611 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Walk-1-of-8-scaled.jpg?resize=370%2C221 370w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Walk-1-of-8-scaled.jpg?resize=150%2C90 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Walk-1-of-8-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C458 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Walk-1-of-8-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C917 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Walk-1-of-8-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1222 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Walk-1-of-8-scaled.jpg?w=2370 2370w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 790px) 100vw, 790px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Beginning the walk from Frontier Park. <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"790\" height=\"641\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-89478\" data-id=\"89478\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Walk-2-of-8.jpg?resize=790%2C641\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Walk-2-of-8-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C831 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Walk-2-of-8-scaled.jpg?resize=321%2C260 321w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Walk-2-of-8-scaled.jpg?resize=150%2C122 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Walk-2-of-8-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C623 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Walk-2-of-8-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1246 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Walk-2-of-8-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1661 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Walk-2-of-8-scaled.jpg?w=2370 2370w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 790px) 100vw, 790px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Entering the path through Main Street.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"790\" height=\"403\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-89480\" data-id=\"89480\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Walk-3-of-8.jpg?resize=790%2C403\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Walk-3-of-8-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C522 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Walk-3-of-8-scaled.jpg?resize=370%2C189 370w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Walk-3-of-8-scaled.jpg?resize=150%2C76 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Walk-3-of-8-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C391 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Walk-3-of-8-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C783 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Walk-3-of-8-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1043 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Walk-3-of-8-scaled.jpg?w=2370 2370w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 790px) 100vw, 790px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Leading 100 people for suicide prevention. <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"790\" height=\"375\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-89477\" data-id=\"89477\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Walk-4-of-8.jpg?resize=790%2C375\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Walk-4-of-8-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C486 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Walk-4-of-8-scaled.jpg?resize=370%2C176 370w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Walk-4-of-8-scaled.jpg?resize=150%2C71 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Walk-4-of-8-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C365 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Walk-4-of-8-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C730 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Walk-4-of-8-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C973 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Walk-4-of-8-scaled.jpg?w=2370 2370w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 790px) 100vw, 790px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Being greeted by bikers as they walk for a cause. <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"790\" height=\"309\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-89479\" data-id=\"89479\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Walk-5-of-8.jpg?resize=790%2C309\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Walk-5-of-8-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C401 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Walk-5-of-8-scaled.jpg?resize=370%2C145 370w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Walk-5-of-8-scaled.jpg?resize=150%2C59 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Walk-5-of-8-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C300 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Walk-5-of-8-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C601 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Walk-5-of-8-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C801 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Walk-5-of-8-scaled.jpg?w=2370 2370w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 790px) 100vw, 790px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Walking past Stonepost Apartments.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"790\" height=\"441\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-89482\" data-id=\"89482\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Walk-6-of-8.jpg?resize=790%2C441\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Walk-6-of-8-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C572 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Walk-6-of-8-scaled.jpg?resize=370%2C207 370w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Walk-6-of-8-scaled.jpg?resize=150%2C84 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Walk-6-of-8-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C429 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Walk-6-of-8-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C858 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Walk-6-of-8-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1144 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Walk-6-of-8-scaled.jpg?w=2370 2370w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 790px) 100vw, 790px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Heading back to the Frontier Park pavilion. <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"790\" height=\"202\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-89481\" data-id=\"89481\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Walk-7-of-8.jpg?resize=790%2C202\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Walk-7-of-8-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C262 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Walk-7-of-8-scaled.jpg?resize=370%2C95 370w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Walk-7-of-8-scaled.jpg?resize=150%2C38 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Walk-7-of-8-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C196 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Walk-7-of-8-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C393 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Walk-7-of-8-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C523 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Walk-7-of-8-scaled.jpg?w=2370 2370w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 790px) 100vw, 790px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Completing the charitable lap. <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"790\" height=\"339\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-89483\" data-id=\"89483\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Walk-8-of-8.jpg?resize=790%2C339\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Walk-8-of-8-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C440 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Walk-8-of-8-scaled.jpg?resize=370%2C159 370w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Walk-8-of-8-scaled.jpg?resize=150%2C64 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Walk-8-of-8-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C330 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Walk-8-of-8-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C660 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Walk-8-of-8-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C879 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Walk-8-of-8-scaled.jpg?w=2370 2370w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 790px) 100vw, 790px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Signing the memorial banner. <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><a class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-prev swiper-button-prev swiper-button-white\" role=\"button\"><\/a><a class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-next swiper-button-next swiper-button-white\" role=\"button\"><\/a><a aria-label=\"Pause Slideshow\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-pause\" role=\"button\"><\/a><div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_pagination swiper-pagination swiper-pagination-white\"><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Dobson said suicide for 10 to 33-year-olds is the second leading cause of death in Kansas.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe think that\u2019s ridiculous, and we want to end it,\u201d she said. \u201cSo, every year, we put on one walk, and we raise money to keep the research for suicide prevention going.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Dobson stressed that the only way to prevent suicide is to end the stigma surrounding mental health and understand the issue in people.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s usually a combination of things that go on during people\u2019s lives, and they get to a point where they are so desperate that they don\u2019t see any other way out, which is what AFSP is around for,\u201d she said. \u201cWe want to show them that is not a way out, that there is a way to cope and to make it through life. You just have to give it time, and conversations with people who are suicidal or who have mental illnesses can change their entire lives.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The issue of suicide is often ignored in rural areas like Ellis County. Dobson said people are scared to get it because it&#8217;s such a small community and they don\u2019t want other people knowing they need help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThere\u2019s so little help out there in rural communities,\u201d Dobson said. \u201cBy having it so stigmatized, it\u2019s making them feel ashamed of what they feel, so they don\u2019t want to go get help. The first step to take is to go to a place like High Plains and be diagnosed, or just be there to have a mental health professional tell you it\u2019s okay. It\u2019s just like AA; you go one day at a time, and every day is one step further away from that day you considered taking your life.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite the lack of awareness for rural communities, Dobson said the walk was effective, as 100 people volunteered to take the route and organizations from urban areas, like Team Sprinkle in Kansas City, came to participate and contribute to the cause.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThis is the biggest year we\u2019ve had,\u201d she said. \u201cWe raised more [money] than Kansas City, so I think it\u2019s helping the area realize that there is more need for mental health services, and there is more need for places for us to go to where we can feel safe.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Those looking for more information or who want to donate can visit <a href=\"https:\/\/afsp.org\/chapter\/greater-kansas\">https:\/\/afsp.org\/chapter\/greater-kansas<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you or someone you know is feeling suicidal, dial 988 or go to High Plains Mental Health Center at 208 E 7th St, Hays, KS, 67601.&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By RORY MOORE Tiger Media Network The Greater Kansas Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention hosted the annual Hays Area Out of the&hellip; <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":142,"featured_media":89477,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":false,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[3397,11],"tags":[16385,15700,10372],"class_list":["post-89475","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-area-news","category-news","tag-out-of-the-darkness-community-walk","tag-rory-moore","tag-suicide-prevention"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Walk-4-of-8-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1216","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/89475","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/142"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=89475"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"http:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/89475\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":89485,"href":"http:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/89475\/revisions\/89485"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/89477"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=89475"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=89475"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=89475"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}