On Saturday, November 11, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) held its annual Out of The Darkness Walk at Town Green Park in The Woodlands with help from Cassidy Joined for Hope, a teen suicide prevention initiate.

The walk takes place every year to bring awareness to mental health and suicide prevention. The event is a way to bring people together in love and compassion for one another.

“The purpose of the walk was to acknowledge how mental illness and suicide have affected people’s lives, and a journey of remembrance and it uniting the community together to promote suicide prevention awareness,” junior Presley McDonald said.

The Joined for Hope clubs’ purpose is to be there for the community and to represent HOPE at these events.

“Family, friends, and students from all of our Joined for Hope clubs came and helped shine the light to everyone who attended,” the Cassidy Joined for Hope team said. “We made posters with hopeful messages, we handed out sunflowers to remind everyone that ‘You’re doing better than you think you are… and God’s doing more than you think he is’.”

The walk also held other activities and experiences that brought awareness to several other organizations that help fight suicide.

“There were many booths set up sharing their stories, knowledge, and experiences with their loved ones who have committed suicide and what their organization does to help anyone in need,” McDonald said.

Many people who joined the walk and chose to be a part of this cause did so in solidarity with their loved ones who’ve struggled and to show support so that others don’t feel alone.

“I wanted to do the walk to spread awareness and help out our community because it was such a good cause,” junior Brianna Fuerte said. “I also went there for both my friends and family who I lost to their battle.”