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Standing in a sea of people preparing for the Out of the Darkness Walk for R.I.T.A. is a women holding a board with pictures of a young man who should now be in the prime of his life.
“He didn’t realize how special he was, and how many people cared about him. We’re walking in his memory in hopes that others will know there is always someone they can reach out to,” said Rena Charboneau.
Daniel, a family friend, ended his life at the age of 18. And like the 1,000 other walkers that raised just under $100,000 at the morning’s awareness and fundraising event, Team Daniel hopes their efforts may inspire others to make the outreach effort Daniel ultimately did not.
“We need to talk about suicide, about behaviors that warn us that someone is considering it. We need to realize mental illnesses have treatments that work, and that no one should feel shame in needing help,” said Lisa Riley, co-chair of the walk and president of the capitol region chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
