Talkie Walkie tote bags, with signatures of participants (Photo courtesy of TELL)

English lifeline and counseling service TELL is holding their annual Talkie Walkie walk on September 10, World Suicide Prevention Day.

The event is a series of walks held at various cities throughout Japan with the goal of raising awareness of mental illness and suicide, which currently plague the country. The walks also serve as a means to connect and build community. This year’s theme is “Connect, communicate, care,” and is symbolized by the launch of the hand-holding awareness ribbon.

TELL is organizing the Tokyo walk that begins at their Omotesando office, but they encourage people to organize their own walks for the cause. For more information or to register, visit http://tellwalkandtalk.com.