Photos: Loved ones remembered on World Suicide Prevention Day during Foundation2 event

Community members gathered to honor the memories of those who have died of suicide, and share their experiences, during a Light the Night event on World Suicide Prevention Day at Foundation 2 Crisis Services in Cedar Rapids.

Nick Rohlman

Sep. 11, 2025 7:30 am, Updated: Sep. 12, 2025 11:58 am

Volunteer Lola Hawkins of Cedar Rapids places electric candles in luminarias during a Light The Night suicide prevention event hosted by Foundation 2 Crisis Services in Cedar Rapids on Wednesday. Each luminaria featured the name of a someone who took their own life, submitted by members. The event, held on World Suicide Prevention Day, provides a space for community members to light candles in memory of those they have lost to suicide and seeks to raise awareness, and reduce stigma around mental health issues. Foundation 2 received around 185 names from community members to be honored this year, up from 110 last year. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)

Shanna Hawkins speaks during a Light The Night suicide prevention event hosted by Foundation 2 Crisis Services in Cedar Rapids on Wednesday. Hawkins is the facilitator for Foundation 2’s suicide survivors support group. The group, which meets on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month, provides a space for adults who have lost someone to suicide to share their experiences and find support without fear of stigma. Foundation 2 also hosts a similar group for youth. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)

A candle illuminates a luminaria during a Light The Night suicide prevention event hosted by Foundation 2 Crisis Services in Cedar Rapids on Wednesday. The event, held on World Suicide Prevention Day, provides a space for community members to light candles in memory of those they have lost to suicide and seeks to raise awareness and reduce stigma around mental health issues. Foundation 2 received around 185 names from community members to be honored this year, up from 110 last year. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)

Volunteer Lola Hawkins of Cedar Rapids prepares luminarias for a Light The Night suicide prevention event hosted by Foundation 2 Crisis Services in Cedar Rapids on Wednesday. Each luminaria featured the name of a someone who took their own life, submitted by members. The event, held on World Suicide Prevention Day, provides a space for community members to light candles in memory of those they have lost to suicide and seeks to raise awareness, and reduce stigma around mental health issues. Foundation 2 received around 185 names from community members to be honored this year, up from 110 last year. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)

Luminarias await placement during a Light The Night suicide prevention event hosted by Foundation 2 Crisis Services in Cedar Rapids on Wednesday. Each luminaria featured the name of a someone who took their own life, submitted by members. The event, held on World Suicide Prevention Day, provides a space for community members to light candles in memory of those they have lost to suicide and seeks to raise awareness, and reduce stigma around mental health issues. Foundation 2 received around 185 names from community members to be honored this year, up from 110 last year. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)

Foundation 2’s Legacy Wall is seen during a Light The Night suicide prevention event hosted by Foundation 2 Crisis Services in Cedar Rapids on Wednesday. The wall features the names of those who have taken their own life in order to honor their memory as more than just statistics. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)

Foundation 2 law enforcement liaison program coordinator Sam Heinricy places luminarias on a ledge during a Light The Night suicide prevention event hosted by Foundation 2 Crisis Services in Cedar Rapids on Wednesday. The event, held on World Suicide Prevention Day, provides a space for community members to light candles in memory of those they have lost to suicide and seeks to raise awareness, and reduce stigma around mental health issues. Foundation 2 received around 185 names from community members to be honored this year, up from 110 last year. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)

Luminarias are displayed during a Light The Night suicide prevention event hosted by Foundation 2 Crisis Services in Cedar Rapids on Wednesday. The event, held on World Suicide Prevention Day, provides a space for community members to light candles in memory of those they have lost to suicide and seeks to raise awareness and reduce stigma around mental health issues. Foundation 2 received around 185 names from community members to be honored this year, up from 110 last year. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)

Hector Candelaria speaks during a Light The Night suicide prevention event hosted by Foundation 2 Crisis Services in Cedar Rapids on Wednesday. Candelaria, who lost his wife to suicide, emphasized the importance of community support for survivors of suicide and for those struggling with their own mental health. “Had I not reached out for help my name would most likely be on one of those bags,” he said. Candelaria works in substance abuse and addiction counseling and draws from his own experiences to challenge the stigma around seeking help, saying “It takes a brave individual to ask for help.” (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)

Luminarias bearing names submitted by community members are displayed during a Light The Night suicide prevention event hosted by Foundation 2 Crisis Services in Cedar Rapids on Wednesday. The event, held on World Suicide Prevention Day, provides a space for community members to light candles in memory of those they have lost to suicide and seeks to raise awareness and reduce stigma around mental health issues. Foundation 2 received around 185 names from community members to be honored this year, up from 110 last year. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)

A sign for Suicide Prevention Month is displayed during a Light The Night suicide prevention event hosted by Foundation 2 Crisis Services in Cedar Rapids on Wednesday. The event, held on World Suicide Prevention Day, provides a space for community members to light candles in memory of those they have lost to suicide and seeks to raise awareness and reduce stigma around mental health issues. Foundation 2 received around 185 names from community members to be honored this year, up from 110 last year. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)