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Cal Poly’s annual Out of the Darkness walk on May 16 drew students, families and local advocates to campus and raised a record $20,125 for suicide-prevention efforts — a sign of growing attention to mental health on campus and in the community. The event combined a resource fair, a bead ceremony and a 1.5-mile walk, and organizers said the funds and visibility aim to sustain conversations and support beyond a single day.
The walk, organized by Campus Health and Wellbeing in partnership with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, marked the highest total since the campus began hosting the event four years ago. Attendees included survivors of loss, mental-health advocates and community groups working to reduce stigma and expand access to help.
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What happened at the event
Before setting off, participants selected different colored beads to represent their relationship to suicide and mental-health struggles — whether mourning a friend or family member, acknowledging a personal struggle, or showing solidarity with someone they support. The bead ceremony created a visible mosaic across the crowd, underscoring that suicide affects people from many backgrounds.
Organizers described the walk as both commemorative and practical: a moment to remember lost loved ones and an opportunity to connect people with resources. Campus booths offered information on counseling services and community programs, while volunteers and speakers emphasized ongoing outreach.
- Funds raised: $20,125 — the highest total in the event’s four-year history at Cal Poly.
- Event components: resource fair, bead ceremony, 1.5-mile campus walk.
- Partners: Campus Health and Wellbeing and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
- Audience: students, family members, community advocates and survivors.
Cindy Coleman, executive director of the San Luis Obispo nonprofit Knowing You Matter, attended with members of her organization’s team. She said personal loss — the death of her middle son, who had been a Cal Poly student — motivated their work and their decision to take part in the walk.
“We wanted to make a difference in our community,” Coleman said, urging anyone struggling to reach out for help.
Why the walk matters now
Organizers and participants framed the event as part of a broader push to normalize conversations about mental health and to make resources more visible on campus. Alexis Becerra, a co-chair with Campus Health and Wellbeing, said the goal extends beyond the single-day gathering: to maintain support networks and promote ongoing access to care.
One student who asked to remain anonymous described the walk as a welcome shift in campus culture. Public events, they said, make it easier to talk about thoughts and feelings that previous generations often kept private.
The stakes are practical as well as emotional. Increased fundraising helps sustain outreach programs and awareness campaigns, while visible community support can lower barriers for people seeking help.
Where to get help
Organizers repeatedly delivered a simple message: support exists. For immediate help, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Cal Poly students can also contact Campus Health and Wellbeing Counseling Services for appointments and crisis support.
Events like the Out of the Darkness walk aim to keep those channels front of mind and to remind people that asking for help is an option, not a last resort.
