September is suicide prevention month. In the United States, a person dies by suicide every 13.3 minutes, claiming more than 39,500 lives each year. It is estimated that an attempt is made every minute, with close to one million people attempting suicide annually. Suicide is the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S. among adults 18-65, the second leading cause of death among teens and young adults, and individuals ages 65 and older account for 16 percent of all suicide deaths. This is a public health issue that does not discriminate by age, gender, ethnicity, or socio-economic status.

Brooke Anderson of the Virginia chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention joins Wendy Edwards to talk about suicide prevention and the Greater Augusta Out of the Darkness Walk coming up on October, 21st in Staunton’s Gypsy Hill Park.