Annual walk to raise awareness, funds for suicide prevention

Marissa Grayson participated in her first Out of the Darkness Walk in 2008, three years after losing her father to suicide.

“Until that day, I had struggled to find people who understood my loss — all the unanswered questions, sadness and guilt,” Grayson said. “Being surrounded by hundreds of people who understood or respected my grief and cared about reducing the stigma associated with mental illness provided me comfort and hope.”

Grayson is the chair of the Alabama Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and chair of the Birmingham Out of the Darkness Walk, which will take place Nov. 3 at Veterans Park on Valleydale Road.

The purpose of the event is to provide support to people who have lost loved ones to suicide, but also provide messages of hope and reminders to people who may be struggling.

The walks take place in cities around the country and the hundreds of thousands of participants are raising awareness and funds that allow the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) to invest in new research, create educational programs, advocate for public policy, and support survivors of suicide loss.

Last year, the event in Birmingham had more than 1,900 participants and raised more than $152,000. Through these events, the AFSP has been able to set a goal to reduce the annual suicide rate 20% by 2025.

The event will feature activities of hope and healing. At the survivor of suicide loss area, people are encouraged to bring a photo of a loved one to be displayed on the photo wall.

There will be a special area for walkers to create a message of hope for themselves, someone they know or to provide strength to someone who may be struggling. The goal is to spread the message that it is possible to overcome suicidal thoughts and feelings and that many resources are available to help.

A resources area will open at 1 p.m. and will feature information tables with local nonprofit organizations and businesses sharing resources, upcoming event information and ways to connect with others dedicated to raising awareness of mental illness and suicide.

“Members of the community will be sharing their stories, there will be signs along the walk route to help educate people about suicide prevention, and there will be activities for people who have lost loved ones or want to share their messages of support,” Grayson said.

Every attendee will receive an honor bead as a reminder that they are not alone in losing someone to suicide or struggling with a mental illness.

Grayson said since her first walk, the AFSP community has become like a second family to her, and she is proud to support the organization's mission and work.

Check-in and registration begins at 1 p.m. and the walk will start at 2:30 and end at 4 p.m. Friendly, leashed dogs are welcome at the event, and with a $10 donation an AFSP Pooch bandana can be purchased at the Paws for Prevention Table. For those who would like to donate to the cause, walk donations are accepted until Dec. 31.

“The walk is not only an event that provides support to people who have lost loved ones to suicide but also an event that sends messages of hope and reminders to people who may be struggling with lived experience that they matter. We want people to know that help is out there and that it works.”

For more information, visit afsp.org/ birmingham.