Inspirational messages and candles lit the way in Trumbull on World Suicide Prevention Day.

The community gathered outside town hall for the 6th annual 'Shining Together for Suicide Prevention' Vigil.

"Prevention starts long before tragedy," Trumbull high school senior Sophia Tobias says. "I hope that someone feels inspired to either get help for themselves or push the narrative out to reach out to their peers."

Gillian Anderson founded My Friend Abby, Inc. after her daughter took her own life due to clinical depression. She says the vigil helps create space for conversations that are still too often held quietly.

"Suicide is a scary word. Mental illness is a scary word," Anderson says. "It's really tough to talk about it, and there are families for generations that haven't been able to speak about a loved one's death. We are here to tell everybody that your mental health matters, that you are not alone, and that help is available."

There were guest speakers and tables filled with resources.

Attendees decorated luminaries and walked around town hall together in solidarity.

"There's help to be found, places to go, and people to talk to," suicide loss survivor Martha Armington says. "It's hard to take that first step, but you'll be glad that you did."

My Friend Abby, Inc. is hosting another event in October.