Out of the Darkness Community Walk 2012 | South Bend, IN

I had a really special honor on Saturday, to photograph an event that brings to the surface a really tough subject: suicide.

This was the second time an event like this took place in the South Bend area, and I was really humbled to be able to be a part of it once again.

Did you know … There are over 30,000 suicides in the United States each year. It's the fourth leading cause of death for adults between the ages of 18 and 65 years in the United States. 90% of people who die by suicide have a diagnosable and treatable psychiatric disorder at the time of their death.

We must learn the warning signs and learn more about what we can do to help those who are uncertain of how to help themselves.

Out of the Darkness Community Walks do just that. They happen all over the country and are directly associated with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, which is the leading national not-for-profit organization exclusively dedicated to understanding and preventing suicide.

Walks like this are organized to help survivors of suicide - to connect them with others who are in the exact same place - who need the shoulder of another to help them along the way.

I was very thankful to meet some amazing new friends and be inspired by their stories - and their strength. Thankful to see such beautiful camaraderie and 'togetherness'. ♥

To learn more about how you can be a part of this cause, to join a community walk in your area, or to simply learn more about the risk factors and warning signs, please visit http://www.afsp.org/.