DAPHNE — In 2010, there were 637 suicides in Alabama and 90 of those were in Mobile and Baldwin counties. On Sunday, Oct. 21, Daphne will host the second annual Out of the Darkness Community Walk to benefit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

Suicide is ranked as the 10th leading cause of death in the United States and is nearly double the rate of homicide. Lydia Barber, coordinator of the Out of the Darkness walk, knows these facts all too well. On Oct. 27, 2010, her son Allen took his life while attending the University of Montevallo.

“Allen was an amazing young man, he was talented, loving, never gave us any real trouble,” Barber said. “He didn’t drink, smoke, or do drugs. I don’t even remember him being late for curfew. He visited us the weekend before, and my husband and I talked about how he seemed happier than he had ever seemed before.”

Three days later, he took his life.

There are plenty of misconceptions about suicide. Many people think that drugs and mental illness are the only reasons for suicide. Untreated depression is the leading cause of suicide and nearly 19 million people suffer from depression each year. People don’t talk about it Barber said.

“There were two suicides in my church just a few weeks before Allen took his life. It happens more than you think, but no one talks about it.”

There are more than 254 Out of the Darkness walks held each year nationally. Daphne’s walk this year will include a memory wall and a butterfly release. Many people walk to remember a loved one and to come together with others who have been touched by suicide.

A public forum will be held on Saturday by St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. The forum will have five speakers on topics such as teen suicide, grief in the community, and the response to suicide by the medical and professional community.

“Whether you have been personally touched by suicide or not, we encourage everyone to participate,” said Barber. “We mourn and we grieve. That’s what is needed for healing, to find renewed meaning in our lives and hope for the future.”

Be aware of suicide warning signs such as feeling hopeless, withdrawing from friends and family and making suicidal statements. If you or someone you know is feeling suicidal or just wants to talk, call 800-273-8255. Help is available 24 hours a day, every day.

“I walk to give Allen the voice he never had and to keep his memory alive,” said Barber. “End the silence, come out of the dark, and walk to prevent suicide.”

Registration for the public forum on Saturday begins at 8:45 a.m. at St. Paul’s Life Center and the forum begins at 9 a.m. For more information about the forum contact St. Paul’s Episcopal Church at 626-2421.

The Out of the Darkness walk will start at Daphne City Hall on Sunday. Registration begins at 1 p.m. and the walk will start at 2:45 p.m. To form a team for the walk, join a team, walk as in individual or to donate, go to www.outofthedarkness.org or call 251-455-6453 for more information.