Suffolk resident and local counselor Doris Mitnick will be among the local supporters of the 10th Out of the Darkness Community Walk on Sept. 12 at Mt. Trashmore in Virginia Beach.

“It is so rewarding to the see the community come together,” Mitnick said.

The walk takes place during National Suicide Prevention Week.

Mitnick and a number of other counselors sit under a tent at the event where people can seek help, pick up information on suicide prevention and mental health, or speak to them regarding ways to find a counselor. They even have the option of speaking to a counselor at a private booth if they need to. Mitnick has volunteered as a mental health counselor since the event started.

“The walk is for anyone touched by depression or touched by suicide,” said Chris Gilchrist, a licensed clinical social worker and organizer of the Hampton Roads walk. One of the main goals of the walk is to raise awareness.

“The No. 1 cause for suicide is untreated depression,” Gilchrist said. Statistics show that a suicide is committed every 17 minutes.

This particular walk had the largest turnout of the organization’s 325 walks in America last year, Gilchrist said, with more than 8,300 people in attendance.

“We can change lives, we can save lives,” Gilchrist said.

The event will include a group prayer and a reading of names of those who have lost their battle with depression. Personal testimonials of participants also will be presented.

Free food and drink will be available, provided by many local vendors. There will also be a DJ, crafts, a memory wall and more.

Get more information or sign up to participate at www.sos-walk.org.