Lindenwood University partnered with the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention to host the Out of the Darkness Walk, March 2. A part of the Engage in Eight, a student involvement program designed to help students transition to life on campus, the walk serves to bring students together and promote mental health awareness.

Started in 2004, Out of the Darkness is a national movement run by American Foundation of Suicide Prevention that hosts walks across the country. The 2025 walk was the first of its kind at Lindenwood in nearly a decade. Professor of Advertising and Public Relations Dr. Kristy Tucciarone had participated in the annual St. Louis walk when she learned the foundation partners with universities for campus walks. Tucciarone brought this idea to Director of Student Involvement and First Year Programs Madison Shaw and the walk was integrated into the Engage in Eight program.

The 2025 walk welcomed 144 participants and raised $2,609 for the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention. These donations contribute to funding the foundation’s hotline as the foundation’s core strategies of education, research, advocacy, and programming.

Following the walk, participants were invited to a resource fair where they could learn about services offered at the University and in the community. Tucciarone highlights this event as an important way for students to make connections across campus and to relieve anxiety. With anxiety being a major concern for students across the country, followed by a sense of loneliness, Tucciarone believes building a strong campus community can lift students and give them trusted people to turn to when they need help.

Tucciarone said, “life is full of ups and downs. No one ever promised us that life was going to be easy. When you are in a downward moment, reach for your life preserver. Go to the counseling services here on campus. Reach out to a faculty member. go to an off-campus resource. That's why they're there.”

Lindenwood provides services through the Student Counseling and Resource Center and Uwill. The SCRC is located on the third floor of Evans Commons in the Wellness Center and is open Monday – Friday, 8a.m. – 5p.m. Lindenwood’s partnership with Uwill allows students to access online mental health and wellness support. Through Uwill, users can match with a licensed professional counselor for three free counseling sessions and attend free on-demand wellness programming. Uwill also provides an around-the-clock crisis hotline that can be reached at (833) 646-1526.