I volunteer full-time for American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and the AFSP Montana Chapter – teaching prevention classes, helping others cope after suicide loss, raising money for AFSP’s research and education.

Ulrich, gatekeeper and clinical trainers, as well as suicide survivors (those who have lost someone to suicide) are available to discuss suicide, including suicide prevention training on the impact of suicide on friends and family, and resources to mobilize organizational or community level suicide prevention.

Hundreds packed the parking lot of Hoffmantown Church for the fourth annual Out of the Darkness Walk.

Mary Ellen Decker, a native of Windsor said, “Young, old, successful, not successful- it can happen to anyone”. According to the department, New Mexico youth still experience a suicide rate more than 60 percent higher than USA youth.

Begley said it’s important to look for personality changes such as talking about taking one’s life or feeling sad or hopeless about the future – and to ask questions about these topics. “Seth withdrew into himself”.

Suicide is a global phenomenon and according to World Health Organization, more than 800,000 people die due to suicide every year.

However for Matthew Cline, of Deruyter, NY, there were no warning signs before his father ended his life in October 2014. “It was one of those things that just happened”, Cline said. However, anyone who would like to participate can register in person at the walk from the time check-in begins until the walk starts.

Aiding somebody fighting with suicidal thoughts needs a community of individuals to aid him walk into the route to recovery.

“There is a message of hope and there are so many people that are willing to support”, Doi said.