The 4th annual "Out of the Darkness": Suicide Prevention & Awareness Walk event will be hosted by the Benton County Suicide Prevention Coalition on Sunday, September 13th, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. at the Karr Athletic Complex Track located at 210 West 21st St. in Vinton.
* The event will officially begin at 4:00 p.m. The complex will be open with tables of information, speaker(s), games, and activities. We’ll have some awesome treats on-site for purchase:• Kona Ice⁠ – bringing their fun, tropical shaved ice experience 🍧 (they even let you customize your flavors!)
• Street Bites⁠ – serving up delicious eats you won’t want to miss 
* There is no minimum or maximum distance - however long is best for you! Music will be played for the duration of the event. 
* This is a family-friendly event! Strollers & children of all ages are welcome.
Click HERE to follow the event on Facebook or click HERE to register for the event.
The registration form is now live, and we invite you to begin sharing the flyer, social media graphics, and event information within your networks. Together, we can continue raising awareness, reducing stigma, and connecting our community to lifesaving resources.
IMPORTANT INFORMATIONAs our coalition continues to grow, we recognize that everyone has different capacities for involvement. To help make participation accessible and sustainable, we are introducing three levels of engagement. Every level matters and helps strengthen our mission.Level 1: SupporterA great way to stay connected with minimal time commitment.
Follow the coalition's social media pages
Share event and awareness posts
Wear a coalition or walk shirt (new shirt designs are currently being developed and will be available before the walk!)
Level 2: ParticipantFor those who would like to take a more active role.
Attend one coalition meeting per month
Participate in coalition events when able
Invite a friend, family member, or colleague to learn more about our work
Level 3: VolunteerFor members interested in hands-on support.
Assist with event setup and tear down
Welcome attendees and help with registration
Participate in community outreach and awareness activities
Support resource tables and coalition initiatives throughout the year
Our hope is that these options allow people to engage at a level that feels manageable while helping us build a stronger, more sustainable coalition. Many people are more likely to get involved when they can start small and increase their participation over time.In addition to the walk, we are working to increase our presence throughout the community. If you have connections with local businesses, churches, schools, civic organizations, or community events, we'd love your help sharing information and creating new partnerships. Opportunities include:
Displaying flyers in community spaces
Sharing coalition information with schools and faith communities
Sponsoring refreshments for meetings or events
Hosting resource tables at local gatherings
Connecting us with organizations interested in supporting suicide prevention efforts
Together, we can continue building a community where everyone feels supported, connected, and valued.Thank you for all you do to support this mission. We look forward to walking alongside you on September 13th.NOTICE: The Benton County Suicide Prevention Coalition is not a crisis response or intervention organization. If you are in need of immediate assistance, please contact 911, 988, or go to your nearest emergency room.