Clayton walk for suicide prevention

For Clayton resident Amy Callahan, hosting the town’s “Finding Light in the Darkness” walk on Nov. 24 is part of her ongoing grief process.

The third annual event honors her son, Wyatt Bredell, and other locals who have committed suicide. Family and friends can meet at 4:30 p.m. in the Grove park downtown, sharing photos of loved ones before walking about a mile with flashlights. The fundraiser benefits the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP).

Callahan’s 15-year-old son, an honor student, Eagle Scout and youth leader in his church, took his life in September 2014. She pulled together a team for AFSP’s “Out of the Darkness” walk at Lake Merritt less than five weeks later. She patterned the Clayton event on that fundraiser.

“My hope is that through raising awareness and educating people, we will continue to give hope to others so that another family doesn’t have to go through the heartache and despair that our family has had to go through,” Callahan told the Pioneer after the inaugural Clayton event.

To support “Team Wyatt” or create your own team, visit afsp.org/Oakland.