Coming Out of the Darkness | Video

Michelle San Miguel | 10/6/2012

The number of suicides in North Dakota has gone up in recent years. Just about every four days someone in the state takes his or her own life. Hundreds walked around the capitol grounds Saturday morning for the annual Out of the Darkness walk.

Organizers say the walk helps raise awareness about suicide prevention and provides support to those who`ve lost a loved one or those who are considering suicide.

"We can go to the clinic and say, `I think I`ve got, you know, I think I`m having some problems with my heart or whatever.` But we can`t seem to feel free enough to talk about the fact that we don`t feel good about our lives or we`re depressed or we have trouble in our relationships with people. We can`t hold down a job," said Susan Wagner, co-chair of the walk.

"After our son did it, I tried to take my life, so I`ve been on both sides, but this helps me cope with it and everybody that`s on the committee right now either lost somebody close to them or knows somebody that`s lost somebody," said John Lucier, who lost his son to suicide.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, you`re encouraged to call the Helpline Center. The number is 211

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