Last year at my town's "Out of the Darkness" walk, hosted by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, my dad and I found a park within minutes. This year, we drove in circles to secure a spot. Also, they ran out of coffee by the time we were settled. On an average day, I would be very displeased with that fact, but with so many bodies surrounding me and dogs among them (a dog friendly event), it was hard to be cranky.

It’s never an average day at the "Out of Darkness" walk. The air feels as if you're breathing in positivity. It feels like we are walking into the light and finding a better understanding of mental health.

This year, I walked beside my mother. When it’s just the two of us, I learn so much about her that she doesn’t offer as common knowledge. Sometimes it feels like our parents or older family members are from a different century than us, but we’re not all that different. We’re all people.

When we began the walk, the first thing she told me was, “I feel like I’m walking for myself." She shared with me her battles with depression and her family history I hadn’t known. For the first time, I shared my own experience with her. I rarely would talk about it out loud for the fear that it would worsen everything, but I felt pressure fall off my back. Speaking about it didn’t make me feel weak, but it offered me a new outlet.

My mom told me after that she had no idea. Often times we find effective ways to hide it. We only see what people choose to share with us, so this news can come as a blind sight. Unfortunately enough, when we find out the news of a suicide, we can reflect on everything that we love about them without missing a beat. Their mental state doesn’t come to mind as something that defines them as a person.

This walk holds such sentimental value for me because it promotes awareness and provides a safe place that is rare to find. It’s very easy to feel alone in a crowd, but I never do at these walks no matter how many people there are. Knowing that there is understanding and patience is tremendously comforting.

An aspect that resonated with me was the emotional vulnerability. Speakers welcomed all to talk about their mental health and made it known that speaking about it brings strength and not weakness. While it may feel isolating, it’s something that we can face together. Those who support you tend to be closer than you think.

If you or someone you know is experiencing emotional distress, help is a click away.

For emergencies, call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).