Over 200 event goers participated in the seventh annual Out of the Darkness community walk at the city plaza Oct. 15.

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention puts on the event in hopes to “save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide.”

“This foundation is the largest non-profit group dedicated to finding out the causes and ways to prevent suicide,” said the Chair of the board of the Sacramento area chapter of AFSP Mike Gonzales. “The goal of the foundation is to to reduce the suicide rate by 20 percent by the year 2025 on a national level.”

The walk provides people with contacts and community resources. Gonzales said an amazing aspect of the event is the outreach.

He said he has received emails from participants thanking the organization and saying the event saved their lives.

Money raised goes toward AFSP to put on more events, research and programs.

Kyla Linville can be reached at [email protected] or @kyla_linville on Twitter.