On Sunday, October 18, 2026, Stevens worked with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) to coordinate an Out of the Darkness Walk for Hoboken. This was the ninth annual occurrence of this partnership that has continued to grow in size since 2017. People from all walks of life gathered together for their common cause. In attendance were several of Stevens’ sports teams, fraternities, sororities, and faculty from different departments on campus.
Upon entrance, there was a station for honor beads where every individual walked up and grabbed necklaces of all different colors to symbolize who they were walking for. They also had stations for positive rocks, where you could write a message to drop along the walk for someone else to find; pins, where you could write down and wear who you were there in honor of; and paper butterflies, where you could contribute kind messages and thoughts of loved ones to a butterfly garden.
Following the activities and stations, the walk began. The path went from Babbio Patio, to Pier A, to 11th Street along the waterfront, and back through campus from the 9th Street gates. In the end, everyone regrouped where they had started.
As the 10th leading cause of death, suicide stands as a major threat to many people. In 2024, 48,824 Americans died from suicide with an estimated 2.2 million attempts. From 2022 through 2024, the suicide rate decreased by 4%. However, the rate still remains 32% greater now than in 2000.
The threat of suicide has been growing, but so has people’s awareness. The first time this event was hosted at Stevens in 2017, $19,342 were raised. In 2024, the walk raised over $60,000. This year, the walk raised $90,005 as of October 18.
The support of not only Stevens but also Hoboken was shown as 819 participants contributed to the fundraising and community of the walk with 1,022 donations submitted.
Other efforts of Stevens for mental health opportunities include Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), the CARE Team, the Wellness Peer Educators, and more that you can learn more about in the Wellness Center. If you or anyone you know is in crisis, you can reach a live crisis counselor by dialing 201.216.5177 and selecting option “2” through Stevens or call the National Suicide Hotline, 988.
