DAPHNE — On Sunday, 425 people participated in the Out of the Darkness suicide prevention walk and organizers raised $22,725 for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

The goal for the walk was to raise $15,000, which the fundraisers easily surpassed. “I’m so thrilled,” said walk coordinator Lydia Barber.

Area Director for the Alabama chapter of AFSP Lisa Dunn said that the goal was met before the walk ever started.

“We were at $17,000 on Saturday. Even though this is only Daphne’s second year to hold the walk, it is already the second largest in the state,” said Dunn. “We also hold walks in Tuscaloosa, Huntsville, Montgomery, and Birmingham.”

Delisa Cunningham, who walks for her sister Debra Phillips, said the walk was therapeutic for her. “It’s good to be around other people who have experienced the same loss. We can come together to mourn and to raise awareness so maybe no other family has to go through this,” Cunningham said.

Dunn told the crowd at Sunday’s event that last year the AFSP was able to sponsor eight workshops for medical professionals and high schools.

“I just got the numbers in from last year and for the first time in seven years, the suicide rate is going down,” Dunn said.

The second year of Daphne’s Out of the Darkness walk nearly doubled the number of participants, according to Cunningham.

“Last year we had about 267 walkers here to participate,” said Cunningham. “This year we had 425 people here to walk and 519 registered. We are looking forward to next year and hope it continues to grow.”