Sioux Falls volunteers gather for ‘Out of the Darkness’ walk

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) - Suicide is the eleventh-leading cause of death in the United States and volunteers from Sioux Falls joined over 250,000 others in raising awareness for suicide prevention.

This year's annual Sioux Falls Out of the Darkness Community Walk , hosted by the South Dakota chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention , took place on Saturday at the Levitt at the Falls.

The walk supports the AFSP's education and support programs with the goal of reducing the US rate of suicide by twenty percent.

"I just think it's really important to let others know there's help and hope out there and resources. We've got to keep talking about it, and sometimes you just have to ask the question, 'Are you thinking about hurting yourself or are you thinking about suicide?'" said participant Janine Harris.

The Sioux Falls walk is one of more than 550 Out of the Darkness Overnight, Community and Campus walks held on Saturday.