Residents walk to raise money for suicide prevention

More than 200 relatives and friends of people who have committed suicide gathered at Sherwood Island State Park for a day of healing Sunday.
They participated in a 5K walk sponsored by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. The organizer of the event said it was a day for people to come out of the dark about the issue and reduce the stigma.
As part of the Out of the Darkness walk, loved ones write messages to the deceased and wear bright green shirts to show their common loss. Event coordinator Russ Cooper has been touched by suicide as well. His ex-wife killed herself in 2004. He is trying to right the problem by raising money.
"Research dollars go directly towards prevention now, which is you know critical. I mean this is about education, survivor support,? Cooper said.
Cooper is in the process of forming a Connecticut Chapter of the Out of Darkness Walk.
Related Information:Suicide Prevention Resource Center