Charleston Walk Honors Suicide Prevention Efforts
The 11th annual Out of the Darkness Walk drew participants to Slack Plaza in Charleston to support suicide prevention.
Updated on Oct. 31, 2026 in Substance Abuse
Participants gathered at Slack Plaza in Charleston, West Virginia, on Saturday for the 11th annual Out of the Darkness Walk, organized by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. The event brought together people remembering loved ones and those affected by suicide.
Why it matters
The walk supports suicide prevention efforts in West Virginia, where the state recorded 303 suicide deaths in 2024. Local fundraising is aimed at keeping resources within the state.
West Virginia's age-adjusted suicide rate declined from 18.6 to 16.4 deaths per 100,000 people between 2023 and 2024, with 303 deaths recorded in 2024 compared with 349 in 2023. About 85% of money raised by the walk in the state stays in West Virginia, though the total raised this year was not reported.
The players
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is a national nonprofit that funds research, education and advocacy aimed at reducing suicide and supporting people affected by it.
Tara Miller
Tara Miller is a West Virginia resident who chairs the Charleston Out of the Darkness Walk and whose brother died by suicide in 2023.
The details
Tara Miller, chair of the walk, joined participants at Slack Plaza in Charleston on Saturday. Miller's brother, Todd, died by suicide in 2023, and her involvement reflects the personal connections many attendees brought to the event.
Timeline
2023: Todd Miller died by suicide.
2024: West Virginia recorded 303 suicide deaths.
Saturday, October 31, 2026: The 11th annual Out of the Darkness Walk was held at Slack Plaza.
Big Picture
The walk arrives as West Virginia's age-adjusted suicide rate fell from 18.6 to 16.4 per 100,000 people, a drop that places this year's fundraising within a period of measured improvement in the state's figures. Whether that decline continues remains to be seen from future state reporting.
Residents who want to support suicide prevention in West Virginia can join or donate to future Out of the Darkness Walks, with 85% of funds raised staying in the state. Families affected by suicide can seek local support through the same network that organizes these events.
The takeaway
Local participation in events like the Out of the Darkness Walk helps keep suicide prevention funding in West Virginia, where the state's rate has recently declined. Readers affected by suicide can connect with community resources in their area.
Further reading
Explore more on Substance Abuse in West Virginia.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WCHS.
