City News

Out of Darkness Walk sheds light on suicide, mental illness

Posted: Sep 17, 2012 4:35 AM by Dustin Klemann - Q2 News
Updated: Sep 17, 2012 4:35 AM

BILLINGS - An event dedicated to supporting those who have lost loved ones to suicide, the Out of Darkness Community Walk in Veteran's Park, brought awareness of suicide to the Billings area.

The annual walk is the primary fundraiser for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Suicide claims 36,000 lives in the United States each year. Montana owns the highest rate of suicide in the nation.

Misperception on the causes of suicide still exist today. Organizations like AFSP raise money to better understand the minds of those who take their own lives.

Out of Darkness Community Walk also served as a meeting place for people who have lost loved ones. Teams supporting the memories of those who have died wore t-shirts, held signs, and participated in a silent auction.

Bill Kennedy, Yellowstone County Commissioner, spoke in front of the hundreds who attended. Kennedy shared his experiences with suicide victims and how people need a better understand of the mental illnesses that can affect suicidal thoughts.

After the presentation, the three mile walk represented more than just an addition to a fundraiser, but as a walk towards raising awareness of suicide and its victims.