Hundreds walk in Hoover to raise money for suicide prevention

HOOVER, Ala. (WBRC) - Hundreds of people walked in Hoover Sunday to raise money for mental health awareness at the annual Out of the Darkness Community Walk, hosted by the Alabama chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

More than $55,000 was raised Sunday, according to the foundation’s website. The money will be used for research and education.

18th walk draws about 700 people

The central Alabama chapter brought together about 700 people for its 18th walk.

WBRC anchor Jhas Willaims hosted the event.

The foundation said suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in the U.S. The foundation also said the first step to prevent suicide is understanding.

Organizer says walk is meant to show people they are not alone

Meesha Emett, Alabama area director for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, said she hopes people leave the walk feeling more hopeful.

“They are not alone, and there are other people and organizations like AFSP. There’s NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness). There’s 988, a free resource that is life-saving to get people through those crises,” Emett said. “So more than anything, I hope people leave here today feeling a little bit more hopeful than when they came and knowing they are not alone.”

Emett also said the walk honors those who lost their lives and those who went through their own struggles.

How to donate

People who did not take part in the walk can still donate by clicking or tapping here.

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