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MARQUETTE -- For Carroll Ann Swanson, it seemed like the tragedy happened yesterday. She lost her 19-year-old son, Travis, who committed suicide Thanksgiving of 1995.

"He was a very talented actor; he was very funny, very bright. He was very good at looking good even though he was in tremendous amount of pain," said Swanson.

He battled depression since the age of 15, and it got worse with his addiction to alcohol.

"It does change your life forever. It's not something that you get over. It's something that you learn to live with and make meaning of. It takes a long time," Swanson said.

That's why Carroll Ann participates in helping others through the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention. She will walk with others Saturday, Sept. 15 for the annual Out of the Darkness Walk. It starts at 9 a.m. at Marquette Commons.

The walk raises awareness of suicide and gets people talking about it.

According to the State of Michigan, 11 percent of people in the state commit suicide. In the U.P., 17 out of 100,000 people take their lives. That's why it's important to recognize the signs.

Pay close attention if someone becomes isolated, has mood swings, anxiety, feels hopeless, and if they talk or write about taking their life. If you know someone that has shown these signs, Larry Bourke, a counselor, says to ask them if they're suicidal and offer a listening ear.

"Persuade them to get some help, stay with them until you can get them to agree to get some help. Like I said, if you have to call 911, but make sure that that person has the help that they need before you leave them," said Boburka.