Volunteers walk to fight suicide
October 21, 2019
Movement of a Quarter of a Million People Joined by Local Participants in Columbia, SC
Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States, yet suicide can be prevented. Volunteers from Columbia, SC are joining the quarter of a million people who are walking in towns across the United States to draw attention to the fight for suicide prevention. The annual Columbia Area Out of the Darkness Community Walk, hosted by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention South Carolina Chapter will be held at 1:00 pm, October 27, 2019 at Columbia Canal and Riverfront Park. This walk supports the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s education and support programs and its bold goal to reduce the annual U.S. rate of suicide 20 percent by the year 2025.
“Suicide touches one in five American families. We hope that by walking we will draw attention to this issue and keep other families from experiencing a suicide loss. Our ultimate goal is to save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide,” said Julie Desrochers, Walk Chair, Columbia Area Out of the Darkness Community Walk.
The Columbia Area Out of the Darkness Community Walk is one of more than 550 Out of the Darkness Overnight, Community and Campus Walks being held nationwide this year. The walks are expected to unite more than 300,000 walkers and raise millions for suicide prevention efforts. Last year, these walks raised over $21 million for suicide prevention. Last year this local walk, raised $66,346 and had 1,070 participants.
Speakers at the Columbia Area Out of the Darkness Community Walk will include John H. Magill, Co-Chair of the State Suicide Prevention Coalition, Senator Katrina Shealy, Co-Chair of the State Suicide Prevention Coalition, Helen Pridgen, AFSP South Carolina Area Director, Jennifer Butler, Interim Director of the SCDMH Office of Suicide Prevention, Julie Desrochers, Co-Chair of the Columbia Out of the Darkness Community Walk, and SFC Christopher Allen, Co-Chair of the Columbia Out of the Darkness Community Walk and South Carolina National Guard Suicide Prevention Program Manager.
“These walks are about turning hope into action,” said AFSP CEO Robert Gebbia, “The research has shown us how to fight suicide, and if we keep up the fight, the science is only going to get better and our culture will get smarter about mental health. With the efforts of our courageous volunteers, and a real investment from our nation’s leaders, we hope to significantly reduce the suicide rate in the United States.”
Local sponsors for the Columbia Area Out of the Darkness Community Walk include: Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina, Three Rivers Behavioral Health, Lamar Outdoor Advertising, Mental Health America of South Carolina, Shine Hair Color & Design Studio, Prisma Health, Palmetto Citizens, NAMI South Carolina, Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP, South Carolina Bar-Lawyers Helping Lawyers, NAMI Mid-Carolina, Columbia Fireflies, Caughman Harman Funeral Homes, Print South, Financial Halo MedXPrime, Nancy Dunbar, South Carolina National Guard, South Carolina Nurses Association, South Carolina Public Radio, Northeast Trophies, dpk printing, SC National Guard Federal Credit Union, and 4UCLAY.
About The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
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.
