Movement of a Quarter of a Million People Joined by Local Participants in Parkersburg, WV

Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States, yet suicide can be prevented. Volunteers from the Mid Ohio Valley 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 Mid Ohio Valley Out of the Darkness Community Walk, hosted by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention- West Virginia Chapter will be held at 1:00 p.m. September 28th at Parkersburg City Park. Registration starts at noon. 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 Jason Ferrebee, AFSP_WV Board Member and National Advocate.

The Mid-Ohio Valley 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 over $39,000 and had 490 participants.

“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 Mid Ohio Valley Out of the Darkness Walk include Smoker Friendly, McCarter Health Center, Parkersburg Family Care/ Coplin Health Systems, William B. Summers & Associates, CAS Cable and In Loving Memory of Wilma High.

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 conv

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