Before the sun rose over Pleasantville, a powerful message lit the way.

Hundreds of people walked through the village by candlelight early Sunday morning.

They continued until sunrise in a symbolic journey to spread hope.

The annual Break the Hold walk was started by Jolina and Brian Halloran. Their 19-year-old son Brian died by suicide in 2018.

The foundation raises money and awareness to break the stigma around mental health, especially in schools.

"It fuels our purpose. It provides some funding to increase our programming. And it keeps us going," Brian Halloran said.

"It's extremely touching. It really breaks my heart that Brian didn't live to see all this. And we have to do this because of his loss," Jolina Halloran said.

Experts say suicide is the second leading cause of death for kids ages 10 to 24.