Annual Placer County Out of the Darkness Community Walk for suicide awareness happens in October

740,000 people nationwide have died by suicide – an average of one death every 43 seconds. To say suicide is an epidemic still – even though significant strides have been made in understanding mental health and the myriad ways it can show up in our daily lives – is an understatement. Becoming aware of the internal struggles common among us all is one of many things the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) hopes to achieve with its numerous countrywide Out of the Darkness Walks, one of which happens Saturday, Oct. 11, at Railhead Park in Auburn. Hoping to shed light while also being a beacon for both those grieving the loss of someone and survivors wishing to tell their story, AFSP's Auburn committee has held the walk for many years. Given the world itself has grown into a more challenging place, the walk bridges the gap between despair and isolation – common afflictions of those struggling with their mental health – and the valuable resources that save lives as well as healing. AFSP set a bold goal to reduce the number of suicides this year by 20 percent, according to its website. Out of the Darkness is a way for those in Auburn to come and show their support, as well as express their own grief and loss. 1 in 5 adults suffer from a mental health condition, according to a study by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing; the number is higher among teenagers. The walk is a way to help encourage those affected by suicide to find community and connection with others, a belief supporters of AFSP commonly share as a means of moving the needle forward and decreasing the statistics for the better while also combating the stigma that still persists in spite of numerous studies conducted in the intervening years. Christian Couto has led the walk team since last year. A longtime member of the AFSP, Couto also will perform this year under his stage name CoU'RaGe. "Our Out of the Darkness walk is a great way to build community together," Couto says. "Suicide has impacted all of us. Being of service together is one of the ways that we are working on healing. Our country is so divided right now, but we are united in our cause to fight suicide." Thirty-eight percent of people surveyed by Lifeway Research in 2022 said they believed suicide is a selfish act. In the years since, however, institutions like the Mayo Clinic have taken this sentiment head-on, disproving several negative stereotypes that still cling to the subject – another hopeful sign that the tide is turning, both with awareness and dialogue for the lost while at the same time initiating proactive steps to help those struggling. "I'm involved with this walk because I was able to find hope at a time where I felt like it didn't exist," said DJJ, an ongoing supporter of the walk, serving as MC as well as musical talent. "Now I want to use my voice and spread my message and story to help show others that there is still hope and that they are not alone and belong here like everyone else." As in years past, the walk will have musical performances featuring many local talents from Auburn Hip Hop Congress. The walk begins at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 11, at Railhead Park, 175 Pacific Ave., in Auburn. Entry is free and registration will start at 9 a.m. For more details, go to afspwalks.com. If you or someone you know is struggling, call 988.