DEAR EDITOR:

On July 8, 2013, my wife and I experienced the worst day of our lives, when our son Terry took his own life.

Not knowing where to turn, in 2014, we founded the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s “Out of the Darkness” community walk being held at Mill Creek Park in Youngstown.

After attending the event which was very emotionally moving yet uplifting, we knew we wanted to be more involved. With that being said, my wife Cindy became the chairperson for the event in 2015 and we have grown the event from 200 participants then to over 3,000 last year, which proves there is a need in our area.

Unfortunately since 2008 the suicide rate in Ohio has increased by over 25 percent, a number we need to change. We are hoping you, the community — those that have lost someone, who are hurting every day, or those that just need someone to talk to — will join us this year at the Youngstown “Out of the Darkness” walk, Saturday, Sept. 21 at the Wick Recreational Area of Mill Creek Park.

For more information you may contact my wife, Cindy at 330-720-2975, sorslene@yahoo.com or the walk website, www.afsp .org youngstown, to create a team or register for the walk.

Help us shed light on a subject too often kept in the dark.

STEVE ORSLENE

Cortland