Chicagoland Walk helps save lives, bring hope to those affected by suicide
On September 27, people from across the region will come together for largest suicide prevention event in the country: the Out of the Darkness (OOTD) Chicagoland Walk. This annual event helps prevent suicide as well as bring hope to those affected by suicide. Sponsored by theIllinois Chapterof theAmerican Foundation for Suicide Prevention(AFSP), the three-mile walk starts at Montrose Harbor and runs from9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. on September 27, 2025.
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The Chicagoland Walk is one of hundreds held in cities throughout the country. Since 2004, these events give people the courage to open up about their own connections to the cause and provide a platform to create a culture that's smarter about mental health.The event features a mental health services tent, education outreach, a powerful Why We Walk Wall that honors those lost to suicide, and honor beads that signify how suicide has touched each participant.
Suicide is one of the leading causes of death for all ages. In 2023, 49,316 Americans died by suicide and there were an estimated 1.5 million suicide attempts. Men died by suicide 3.8 times more than women, with white males accounting for 68.13% of suicide deaths. Firearms accounted for 55.36% of all suicide deaths.
In the United States in 2023, suicide was the 2ndleading cause of death for ages 10-34, the 4th leading cause of death for ages 35-44, and the 5thleading cause of death for ages 45-54. In Illinois, suicide is the 3rdleading cause of death for ages 15-34 and 4thleading cause for ages 35-54.
“No one should grieve alone.The AFSP Out of the Darkness Walk brings together a community of loss survivors to provide a deeper connection with others who suffer thisgrief journey,” said Donna Piet, a OOTD Walk participant and Team Captain for the In Michael's Memory team. “Participation in the event these last four years has brought me a tremendous amount of hope, in that together we can fight the disease of mental illness. It takes a village.”
Participants can sign up as individuals or as a team. AFSP-Illinois hopes to raise $1 million or more this year, which is invested in life-saving research, education, advocacy, and support for those impacted by suicide. Organizations sponsoring the 2025 walk include Hope Sponsors Crowe and ComPsych; and Support Sponsors Compass Health Center and United Airlines.
“At ComPsych, we've been helping people at moments of crisis for more than 40 years,” said ComPsych CEO Paul Posey. “We know firsthand how important the work that the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention does for those struggling and for those who support them. We couldn't be prouder to be sponsoring the Chicagoland Out of the Darkness Walk again this year, helping to break down stigma while raising funds and awareness about how suicide can be prevented.”
Nationally, nine in ten individualswho dieby suicidewere livingwith a diagnosablemental health conditionat thetime of their death,with these conditionsoften being undiagnosed or untreated.As a leading cause of death, suicide is a public health problem, but can be prevented through educationand advocacy. Research shows that there is nosingle cause for suicide, and suicide risk increaseswhen several health factors and life stressors converge to create an experience of hopelessness and despair.Peoplecan learn thewarning signs atafsp.org/signs.
This year's event will be emceed by Allison Rosati, anchor for NBC 5 Chicago, which is a media partner for the event. Other media partners includeTelemundo, Audacy, and CHICAGO magazine.
AFSP and its Illinois Chapter are dedicated to improved research,education, and advocacy.Through its statewide network of volunteers, AFSPIllinois offers prevention education programs that emphasize the importance of research-proven self-care techniques aswell as thevalueof engaging professional support.
About the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention:AmericanFoundationforSuicidePreventionis dedicated to saving lives and bringing hope to individuals affected by suicide. Theorganizationcreates a culture that is smart regardingmental health through educational programs, advocation for suicide prevention, and providing support for those affected by suicide. All donations go towards these efforts with the goal to greatly reduce the national suicide rate.
For more: www.afsp.org/IllinoisChicagoland Walk: chicagowalk.org
If youor someone youknowis at riskof suicide,please call or text theU.S.National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
Statistics on Suicide: https://afsp.org/suicide-statisticsSuicide Prevention Resources: www.afsp.org/resourcesSuicide Warning Signs: www.afsp.org/signsMedia: Reporting on Suicide Prevention: www.afsp.org/reporting-on-suicide-prevention
Video: B-roll of 2024Chicagoland Walk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rnfCGdMnBs
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SOURCE American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
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