Paddle for Prevention Event to Raise Awareness about Suicide Prevention

Inaugural event to be held at henderson beach state park

VIE Magazine is proud to be a Gold Level Sponsor for The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Florida Panhandle Chapter’s newest event, Paddle for Prevention. The event will be held on September 10 from 9:00am to 12:00pm at Henderson Beach State Park in Destin, Florida, in an effort to expose the community to paddleboarding and introduce the healing and therapeutic benefits of the water. This event is for all levels of experience, from first time paddlers to experts!

Amanda Abbott, Paddle for Prevention Chair, credits her love for paddleboarding and surfing as the inspiration behind this event. “The water has always been a very positive outlet for me both physically and mentally,” Abbott says. “I created this event along with the rest of the newly formed Florida Panhandle Board of Directors to share my passion in hopes for others to connect in the same way. Mental health issues affect so many lives, and the more we can raise awareness, break the social stigma, and expose others to a healthy release, the quicker we can heal.”

Paddle for Prevention participants can register for time slots every thirty minutes. The $20 registration fee covers participants’ paddleboard rental and helps to raise funds for the local AFSP Chapter. YOLO Board will have paddleboards available for participants. Corporate teams will have a race at the end of the event with all six team members paddling on one board together. The winning team will receive a great prize from Platinum Sponsor ResortQuest Real Estate!

The usual Henderson Beach State Park entrance fee will be waived for this event, and Pavilion E is reserved for the day. Participant check-in begins a half hour before your registered time slot. Food will be provided by Cabana Café, and official Paddle for Prevention T-shirts and tanks will be available for sale, as well as a raffle tickets with several packages from local businesses.

More investment in suicide prevention, education, and research will prevent the untimely deaths of thousands of Americans each year. Nearly 43,000 Americans die by suicide every year, and suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States. The newly founded Florida Panhandle Chapter has several events lined up in the Fall to raise awareness for this preventable public health problem, fund-raise, and connect the community to necessary resources.

Today, AFSP Chapters around the United States are creating a culture that’s smart about mental health by raising awareness through community walk events and fundraising for suicide prevention with a ten-year goal to reduce the suicide rate 20 percent by 2025. As a result, AFSP is the largest private funder of suicide research today and provides education, advocacy, and support programs nationwide for the cause.

Register online today for Paddle for Prevention at AFSP.org/paddle

For more information, contact Amanda Abbott at amanda@paddleforpreventionafsp.com or visit Facebook.com/AFSPFloridaPanhandle

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is dedicated to saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide. AFSP creates a culture that’s smart about mental health through education and community programs, develops suicide prevention through research and advocacy, and provides support for those affected by suicide. Led by CEO Robert Gebbia and headquartered in New York, and with a public policy office in Washington, D.C., AFSP has local chapters in all 50 states with programs and events nationwide. Learn more about AFSP in its latest Annual Report, and join the conversation on suicide prevention by following AFSP on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.