About 130 people gathered at Mallam House for the Out of the Shadows and into the Light walk.

The event coincided with World Suicide Prevention Day and comes only one week after the World Health Organisation issued a report showing one person took their life every 40 seconds.

Mallam House mental health support worker Janelle Brandley said the walk was aimed at bringing the issue of suicide to the attention of the entire region.

“We’re really just not talking about suicide as a community. It’s really important to talk about it,” she said.

Walkers trekked from the address in Rusden Street, through the Mall and finally on to Central Park.

Mallam House’s day-to-day coordinator Dwayne Kennedy said the walk not only tried to make the issue of suicide more visible, but pay respect to people who had taken their own lives. 

Dr Kennedy said many people suffering from mental illness felt there was little acknowledgement. 

However, in his time working in mental health he had seen society’s view on the matter change. “I think there’s much more awareness of mental health,” he said.  

“People are starting to see it as a debilitating disability.”

About 200 people use the services of Mallam House, with a variety of mental diseases from depression to schizophrenia and borderline personality disorders.

Anyone can seek their services by getting a referral by their psychologist or general practitioner.

Additionally people can refer themselves to the service.

Anyone wanting to seek help can call Lifeline’s crisis telephone line on 13 11 14.