The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention started in 1987 by research scientists and family members who lost a loved one to suicide. The SC chapter is less than a year old. John Brown, a local Episcopal priest and the director of Crisis and Forensic Services at the Columbia Area Mental Health Center, is the chapter president.

Among the funded projects is an adolescent suicide research program at Clemson. According to current statistics, suicide is the second leading cause of death among college students and outnumbers homicide as the cause of death among students.

Brochures, training DVDs, and new awareness programs at schools provide helpful and critical information to anyone who may be a risk for suicide and those who love that person and might be able to help.

Among the information and counseling available through the AFSP is help for those who lost someone to suicide. Ed Neeley and his wife work closely with this side of the foundation. Sixteen years ago Neeley had a firm discussion with his fourteen year old son about improving his grades. A little while later, he went upstairs to find that son dead by his own hand.

Losing a child is considered by many to be the greatest tragedy. Losing one to suicide raises the level of pain, loss, and responsibility to near unbearable levels. A large part of the AFSP program is designed to help those affected by suicide to heal as much as is humanly possible.

Out of the Darkness is the primary fundraiser for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. The annual walk is a nationally coordinated fundraiser that closes with a program designed to raise awareness of suicide and offer those affected by it a chance to heal themselves and others by participating.

The Columbia Out of the Darkness walk will be October 11, at Riverfront Park. Registration is at 1 and the walk begins at 2. The emotional closing ceremony will be at 3:30.

For more information about the Out of the Darkness walk visit: OutoftheDarkness.org. To learn more about the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and their programs, visit: afsp.org, or call 888-333- 2377.