According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, a national organization, "Ninety percent of all people who die by suicide have a diagnosable psychiatric disorder at the time of their death. We believe scientific research, better treatments and effective education of professionals and the public will best prevent this tragic loss of life."

Last Sunday at the Lehigh Parkway, more than 900 individuals completed a 5k walk in order to help achieve the foundation's mission of helping to eradicate suicide and raise awareness.

The foundation's Greater Lehigh Valley Chapter became an official chapter in January of 2010 but has been holding community walks for nine years.

Last year's honorary chairperson, Jaccii Farris of WFMZ, returned as guest speaker and introduced three state representatives to the crowd. Farris reminded those in attendance that even though we are connected through social media, we have to put down our phones and look up to really connect to others.

"Look up, get up and spread the word," Farris said.

Many of the walkers and volunteers have lost loved ones to suicide. For Marie Bartos of Northampton, it was her husband she lost.

"My husband died by suicide in 2003 and I went to my first walk probably four years after that," she said.

Bartos looked for the positive aspects of her experience and healing she could garner out of her tragedy. For her, it's been about helping others who are going through what she has experienced.

"Since I'm a survivor of suicide loss, it's 11 years for me now, so I'm to the point where I can reach out to others and help them," Bartos said.

Having strong communication and a good support group is something that Bartos thinks is a key asset for the recovery for survivors of a suicide loss.

The local foundaton chapter has helped her and Bartos says, "It's a place where we can all come together; we're here for each other. I think it's a relief to them to know they're not alone."

As a board member of the organization, Bartos coordinated the event's volunteers.

"That was my role this year," she said. "It takes all of us to make this work."

Since the first walk in 2006, over 200 individuals walked for the cause. Today, that number has grown to almost 1,000.

"We've grown dramatically," Bartos said.

Speaking from his own personal struggle with depression, State Representative Mike Schlossberg, D-132nd, said it's important for those individuals suffering from suicidal thoughts to "embrace their community." He thanked all in attendance for "keeping up this fight."

State Rep. Daniel McNeill, D-133rd, said losing a loved one to suicide is a "pain that will never go away." He said the figures on suicide "are not just numbers but are human beings."

Also in attendance was Ryan Mackenzie, R-134th, who presented a resolution to the Lehigh Valley foundation designating the week of Sept. 8-14 as Suicide Prevention Week in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. A copy of the resolution was given to chapter representatives during the event.

As of Oct. 4, over $32,000 has been raised.

"Our goal was $35,000, but I'm pretty sure we're going to beat that. We're really reaching for $40,000 because you can actually donate to this walk until the end of the year," Bartos said.

Bartos said one of the main missions of the organization is to take away the shame of talking about suicide.

"I'm very vocal, so I've always talked about it," Bartos said. "If nothing changes, nothing changes, and if nobody talks, nobody talks. We have to erase the stigma. It's okay to talk about it."

For more information, visit https://www. afsp.org/. If you or someone you know is in crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.