Now in its eighth year, the From Darkness into Vineyard Light suicide prevention walk continues to raise awareness and give hope to people who have lost their loved ones.

With lit candles in their hands, the crowd weathered the weekend’s rain and wind on a mission to raise awareness and lessen the stigma around talking about suicide.

Calls to suicide hot lines are surging amid the strain of a drawn-out pandemic, according to the mental health nonprofit NAMI of Cape Cod and the Islands. The problem exists nationwide.