Fairfax County Supervisor Walter Alcorn joined the 20th anniversary Fairfax Out of the Darkness Walk on Oct. 3 at the Mosaic District.

He joined his colleagues on the Board of Supervisors to walk as team, along with 88 other teams and more than 1,000 participants.

Sponsored by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, this annual walk aims to break down the stigma around this critical mental health issue, provide hope to those affected, and raise funds for prevention programs, research, and education. This year's walk raised more than $200,000, making it the AFSP National Capital Area Chapter's highest-fundraising year in the walk’s history!

Why We Walk: The Urgent Need for Suicide Prevention

Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control. 

In Virginia overall, the suicide rate is 13.5% per 100,000 residents, according to the Virginia Department of Health’s latest figures. However, the rate stands lower in Fairfax County: 9.7%.

While suicide is more common among younger people aged 15-34, suicide rates among Fairfax County middle and high school students have dropped to the lowest rate in over 11 years. This finding comes from the county’s 2025-2026 Youth Survey that more than 39,000 6th, 8th, 10th and 12th grade students from Fairfax County Public Schools voluntarily answered.

Mental health indicators among 8th, 10th, and 12th grade students have continued to significantly improve over the last five years, including levels of stress, persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, suicidal ideation and suicide attempts. In this year’s survey, the rate of persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness was at 18%  — a 20 percentage-point drop from the rate in 2021. 

Meanwhile, over one in four 6th grade students (26%) reported this feeling, a seven percentage-point decrease from the rate in 2021.

Help is Available. You’re Not Alone

Help is available. If you are in crisis, please call, text or chat with the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988, or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741.

Or call the Fairfax-Falls Church County Community Services Board Emergency Services at 703-573-5679. Help is available 24/7, and walk-in care is also offered through the CSB’s Emergency Services at the Sharon Bulova Center day or night.

Get Trained in Suicide Prevention

Take a free, one-hour class on suicide prevention called QPR which stands for “Question, Persuade, Refer.” This CSB training teaches three easy steps to help someone at risk of suicide. 

You’ll learn to:

• Question someone about their feelings
• Persuade them that help is out there
• Refer them to a trusted adult, a counselor or a healthcare provider

Anyone 16 years and older can take QPR. Sign up for a training today.