Community walk raises awareness about suicide prevention

February 07, 2023
Participants at the 2022 Out of the Darkness Walk listened to speakers and learned about suicide prevention, education and advocacy efforts. Photos Provided

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide is the 12th leading cause of death in the United States. In 2020, nearly 46,000 Americans died by suicide, and that same year, there were an estimated 1.2 million suicide attempts. In an effort to build a community that supports suicide prevention through education and advocacy efforts, a group of MUSC employees volunteer their time every year to make a difference in this serious public health issue through the annual American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) Charleston Area Out of the Darkness Walk.

On Oct. 16, these employees gathered with members of the community at Riverfront Park in North Charleston to raise awareness about suicide and suicide prevention. The event drew more than 600 participants and supporters.

The 2022 event was organized by Regina Creech, Charleston Area walk chair and business health liaison at MUSC Health.

Multiple MUSC Health teams participated, including MUSC Endoscopy, Pharmacy and the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health’s Sciences team.

“It was a great success,” said Creech. “I can’t say enough about the level of support provided by MUSC for the walk and the importance of American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) programs and services that are available in our community.”

Meg Wallace, associate director for clinical operations for the National Crime Victims Research and Treatment Center in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, is team captain for Psychiatry Department’s team and spoke about the group’s work and participation from MUSC in support of this event.

“Talking about suicide helps save lives within communities,” said Wallace, who joined in the effort following the death of her friend Kiki, who died by suicide in 2011. In 2013, she captained the MUSC Psychiatry team and later joined Creech in helping to organize the Charleston Area Out of Darkness Walk. 

“Several MUSC employees played active roles in our group’s planning and event preparation. Volunteers assisted with the setup and break down, plus other event responsibilities to support those who are impacted by suicide,” Wallace said.More than 600 participants gathered to raise money and support suicide prevention at the Charleston area Out of the Darkness Walk. Photo ProvidedMore than 600 participants gathered to raise money and support suicide prevention at the Charleston area Out of the Darkness Walk.

The walks fund education, research, survivor support and public policy advocacy for suicide prevention within South Carolina and nationally. One specific program, "Talk Saves Lives," provides updated research and data on suicide and prevention efforts in the community. Offered to communities in both English and Spanish, the program helps people to talk openly about suicide.

According to Creech, the AFSP is dedicated to achieving their bold goal of reducing the annual suicide rate in the United States by 20% by 2025.

“Now, more than ever, we are building a community that is smart about mental health by emphasizing that mental health contributes to an individual’s overall health and that reaching out for help is the strong thing to do,” Creech continued.

The 2023 Charleston Area Out of Darkness Walk will be held Sunday, Oct. 29 at Riverfront Park in North Charleston.