The fourth of five south Florida suicide prevention walks will be held in Fort Myers on Sunday.

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention “Out of the Darkness Walks” are intended as a “powerful reminder of the need for mental health support, prevention, and education.”

The walks are sponsored by SVN | Commercial Partners.

“It makes people aware of mental health and what the good causes that they are preventing to try and prevent suicide,” said Donna Marrero Zaldivar, SVN advisor and director of Operations. “It’s very near and dear to our broker, as he lost his dad to suicide. So he’s actually on the board and has brought us into assist in different locations.”

The Fort Myers/Cape Coral Walk set for Nov. 17 will be held at Lakes Park in Fort Myers. On-site registration will begin at 8 a.m. with the program starting at 9.

The final walk will be held in Naples on Sunday, Dec. 8, at North Collier Regional Park. On-site registration will begin at 8 a.m. with the program starting at 9.

“We are honored to contribute to such a meaningful cause,” Zaldivar said. “Our team is passionate about helping raise awareness and ensuring that those struggling with mental health challenges have access to the resources they need.”

SVN-sponsored walks have already been held in Sarasota, Boca Raton and Port Charlotte.

“Wherever we have an office, we sponsor their walk. Our broker has been on the board for a good 20 years now. Last year with Hurricane Ian, we had only 76 registered, and now we have doubled our participants.”

SVNCP encourages community members to join them in participating in these walks or donating to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. All proceeds from the walks will fund critical mental health programs and suicide prevention efforts across the country.

“It’s anyone who’s feeling like they are suicidal and or lost a loved one due to suicide or has mental health issues. They’re there to help, and I think it’s a good cause, and I think that if they came to the walk, they could meet people in the same situation and know that they’re not fighting this disease by themselves,” Zaldivar said.

The team will have water on-site and suggests bringing sunscreen.

For more information on how to get involved or donate, visit the AFSP website.