Walking to bring awareness against suicides

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) — People from across the Midlands will be gathering at the Columbia Riverfront Park Sunday afternoon to walk in support of prevention and awareness against suicide. The Out of Darkness Community Walk is a fundraiser for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. It will take place at the park starting at 2:00 p.m. Registration will be at 1:00 p.m. “Every 15 minutes someone dies by suicide in the U.S,” said Robert Gebbia, Executive Director for American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. “This fall, thousands will be walking to raise money for prevention and awareness, and offer hope to the millions of people who have lost a loved one to suicide or who battle personally with depression, bipolar illness, addiction and other mental illnesses”. More than 1,000 people are expected to attend the walk in Columbia. The organization says this is one of 250 events on suicide prevention being held nationwide this fall.