By james art 
WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) – The 12th annual Out of the Darkness community walk drew more than 300 people Saturday in downtown Wilmington to remember friends and family lost to suicide and raise money for mental health initiatives.
The walk was part of a series of walks across the country organized by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. It began at St. James Episcopal Parish, where event organizers gave a short presentation before the walk began. It passed along Market Street before pedestrians turned onto 5th Avenue, then onto Dock Street and finally back onto 3rd Street.
“We are all connected by a thread of personal suffering or the suffering of a family member or the loss of someone to suicide,” said Mandy Anderson-Ill, co-chair of the walk. “It’s a day to remember them and come out and support each other.”
Anderson-ille, like many others in attendance, has lost friends and mentors to suicide. Now she’s trying to help others by participating in the walk, which has raised more than $22,000 by Sunday. That money goes toward mental health support training and efforts to create grief networks around North Carolina, she said.
Mental health and counseling agencies were also available on Sunday afternoon. Attendees also helped build a memorial thread with ribbons honoring those lost.
Anderson-ille said it’s an event that helps bring attention to an issue that needs attention.
“Sometimes it’s very difficult to talk about it. Suicide is a preventable death. And so again, that sense of community, that sense of belonging — we just work hard for that sense of community,” Anderson-Ill said.
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