Going the extra mile for mental health: Out of the Darkness Walk
Every March, Arizona State University’s Devils 4 Devils hosts the Out of the Darkness Campus Walk to bring ASU and the broader community together to prevent suicide. Each step is to honor loved ones and those affected by suicide, to strengthen Sun Devil communities, ensuring that no one struggles alone.
The walk is led by Devil 4 Devils, a student-led organization dedicated to shaping ASU as a vibrant community of social emotional well-being. By providing resources and engaging students in caring for their health and wellbeing, their work makes ASU a safer place for everyone.
Olivia Lund is currently studying psychology at The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. She is a student leader for Devil 4 Devils and works as Executive Director for the Out of the Darkness Walk. She is passionate about mental health awareness and deeply involved in work that helps others feel welcome and heard during such a chaotic time in their lives.
“Suicide prevention is really important to me and to college students in general. It's a big life change and college can be a very difficult time for a lot of people. So, it's really good to spread awareness about suicide prevention as a way to show college students they're not alone,” Lund said.
ASU has a plethora of resources that guide students throughout their mental health journey — from Open Call Open Chat to group therapy, and personalized counseling services. They also offer walk-ins on all 4 campuses.
“We have ASU Counseling Services, so that is a place where students can go from 8 to 5 to receive counseling and support. We also have an ASU’s dedicated crisis line — EMPACT, our suicide text line and hotline here on campus,” Lund said.
Her experience spans various platforms but right now, she works as a crisis text line volunteer and is dedicated to creating safe environments for the student body through her work with Devils 4 Devils.
“I am a crisis text line volunteer, so I have some experience helping people through suicide attempts as well as suicidal ideation,” Lund began. “My sister had tried to take her life a year ago, so I wanted to do something to show that things can get better and that there is hope and resources for those who need it.”
The Out of the Darkness Walk invites vulnerability through the bead ceremony. It’s a special part of the walk that uses beads as a way to identify the ways each person is personally connected to the cause.
“My favorite thing ever is doing the beads ceremony. I think it's such a wonderful way to honor the people that we love, whether that be people that we've lost due to suicide or people that we want to support through their suicidal ideation,” Lund said.
Being able to engage with other students connects the ASU community on a deeper level. Through the bead ceremony, students are able to look to their side and know that they aren’t alone in their journey.
“Everybody picks beads that they relate to. Each different color represents a person's reason for being a part of the walk,” Lund said.
Beyond the Out of the Darkness Walk, Devils 4 Devils has ignited impact across ASU campuses with everything that they do. They also have various volunteer opportunities on their website related to event planning, outreach, peer listening and marketing.
Creating a healthy environment that is full of peers who listen to each other is a critical factor in having a positive college experience at ASU. With so much on students’ plates, they can get overwhelmed in such a new environment. Lund reassured that despite this, there are people out there to reinforce ASU as a supportive environment.
“It's a big life change and college can be a very difficult time for a lot of people. They should expect a wonderful community full of support and education,” Lund said.
Photography by Autumn Williams