Help Save Lives and Bring Hope to Those Affected by Suicide.
Driving Out Darkness was founded in 2019 by Michelle, Alexandra and Erin O’Brien to honor the life of husband and father Stephen O’Brien, who lost his life to suicide on March 28, 2019.
Steve was a loving and adoring husband and an incredible father. His generosity was felt by hundreds of people across the globe. He was a well respected business owner for more than 25 years who believed that relationships were the foundation to success. While his sarcasm was rivaled by none, his sincerity is what truly makes him memorable.
Steve’s death came to a shock to everyone around him. He showed no signs of depression or mental illness, and suffered in silence for 56 years. By breaking down the stigma and providing access to tools and resources, our goal is to ensure Steve’s death, along with countless others, is not in vain.
How Your Help Makes A Difference
This year's proceeds from Driving Out Darkness will benefit The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, a voluntary health organization committed to research, education, and advocacy to take action against this leading cause of death.
Your contribution will go towards funding scientific research, educating the public about mental health and suicide prevention, advocating for public policies in mental health and suicide prevention, and supporting survivors of suicide loss and those affected by suicide.
Suicide was the 10th leading cause of death in the United States in 2020.
Men died by suicide 3.6x more often than women. Women were 1.4x more likely to attempt suicide.
On average, 132 Americans died by suicide each day. 1.4 million Americans attempted suicide.
90% of those who died by suicide had a diagnosable mental health condition at the time of their death.
Who We Are
Driving Out Darkness is a 501c3 nonprofit organization formed to promote awareness and education of the mental health crisis our country is facing.
The Driving Out Darkness mission is to remove the stigma associated with mental illness by contributing to and creating programs that support mental health and wellness.