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Community unites for annual suicide prevention event

Erika Wells
ewells@augustachronicle.com
The Georgia chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention hosted its fifth annual Out of the Darkness Community Walk at Pendleton King Park in Augusta on Sunday. [ERIKA WELLS/THE AUGUSTA CHRONICLE]

Nearly 200 people took steps to help prevent suicide at the fifth annual Out of the Darkness Community Walk at Pendleton King Park on Sunday.

The Georgia chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention hosted the event, which raised over $15,800 toward saving lives and helping those who have been affected by suicide," said Taylor Chambers, the associate area director.

"Nobody should ever have to feel ashamed for having mental illness, Chambers said. "It is not a choice and often it is treatable. We know that removing the stigma opens the doors for treatment as well as prevention."

Raquel Gernat, of Grovetown, was part of a team of about 40 people who walked on behalf of a national defense agency with a location at Fort Gordon. They wanted to honor service members who have dealt with suicide, Gernat said.

"Military suicides are at an all-time high; it impacts our community in a huge way," she said. "The military does such a wonderful job supporting our country and we want them to be proud. We want them to continue to do great things and not take their own lives because of something that has caused such horrible thoughts in their minds."

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is a national nonprofit that offers educational programs, funding research and advocacy regarding suicide. The organization seeks to reduce the annual suicide rate in the U.S. by 20 percent by the year 2025.

On average, one person dies by suicide every six hours in the state, said Marie Warren, the event chair and board member for the Georgia chapter.

"The money we raise here in Georgia will stay in Georgia," she said. "I hope people come away from the walk with peace and a renewed sense of hope that we really are making progress and making a difference."

A total of 300,000 people walked in more than 550 similar events in cities throughout the nation, according to the organization.