MARION COUNTY — A candle lit path last night at the courthouse in Salem gave memorial tribute to the victims of suicide in Marion County over the last five years.

Memorial organizer Sarah Boyles set up 80 candles in bags in front of the courthouse, lighting a memorial path from 8 until 9 p.m.

She says the county averages around 16 suicides each year, making Marion County the fourth highest per capita for suicides in Illinois, even beating out Chicago.

According to Boyles, over 50 people requested their relative’s names on bags. She says it was beautiful and it was nice to see the community pull together and she hopes to see more concerned citizens come out of the woodwork.

Boyles, who lost a relative to suicide in Salem in 2011, calls the number a wake up call for the community.

For more information about suicide in Illinois, go to worldlifeexpectancy.com. If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, reach out for help. If you need help right now, call 9-1-1, or 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433).