Chicagoland Walk is the largest suicide
prevention event in the U.S.
Large and small corporate
sponsorship and walk teams still being organized
NBC
Chicago's Stefan Holt to emcee this
year's walk and program
CHICAGO, July 23,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On September 14, a community of 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 the Illinois Chapter of the
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), the three-mile
walk starts at Montrose Harbor and runs from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00
p.m. on September 14,
2024.
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
2021, suicide was the 2nd leading cause of death for
ages 20-24, the 3rd leading cause of death for ages
10-19, and the 4th leading cause of death for ages
35-44. In Illinois, suicide is the
3rd leading cause of death for ages 10-34 and
6th leading cause for ages 35-54.
"In my eleventh year of volunteering, I continue to be deeply
touched by the profound impact AFSP has on those affected by
suicide," said Liz Catalano,
volunteer with AFSP-IL and The OOTD Chicagoland Walk. When I
volunteer, I am granted the opportunity to forge connections with
strangers who eventually become like family. At the annual Out of
the Darkness Walk, we exchange stories, laughter, embraces, and
tears. Being part of this remarkable event has not only aided me in
my personal struggles but also nurtured my growth along my own
journey."
Participants can sign up as individuals or as a team.
AFSP-Illinois hopes to raise $920,000
or more this year, which is invested in life-saving research,
education, advocacy, and support for those impacted by
suicide.
"Partnering with the AFSP Chicagoland Out of the Darkness Walk
is deeply meaningful to Compass Health Center," said Claudia Welke, M.D., Co-Founder of Compass
Health Center. "This event not only raises awareness and
funds but also unites communities in honoring loved ones and
advocating for suicide prevention. By walking together as an
organization, we demonstrate our commitment to making a difference
and underscore the importance of collective action in addressing
this critical issue. True to our mission, we believe that early
intervention through immediate access to specialized care not only
changes lives but saves lives."
"NRCI at The Chicago School values our established relationship
with AFSP Illinois, said Tracy
Levine, Executive Director, Naomi Ruth Cohen Institute for
Mental Health Education at The Chicago School. "We share similar
missions and goals and recognize the importance of reducing stigma
by honoring those we have lost and giving hope to those affected by
suicide. Our students, staff and faculty are proud to walk with
each other and our community partners to create space for this
important conversation."
Nationally, nine in ten individuals who die by suicide were
living with a diagnosable mental health condition at
the time of their death, with these conditions often
being undiagnosed or untreated. As a leading cause of death,
suicide is a public health problem, but can be prevented through
education and advocacy. Research shows that there is
no single cause for suicide, and suicide risk increases when
several health factors and life stressors converge to create an
experience of hopelessness and despair. People can learn the
warning signs at afsp.org/signs.
This year's event will be emceed by Stefan Holt, evening news anchor for NBC
Chicago, which is a media partner for the event. Other media
partners include Audacy, Telemundo Chicago | Sports Chicago, Rock
95.5 / WCHI-FM, Chicago Magazine, WGN Radio 720, and Cumulus
Chicago.
AFSP and its Illinois Chapter are dedicated to improved
research, education, and advocacy. Through its statewide
network of volunteers, AFSP Illinois offers prevention
education programs that emphasize the importance of research-proven
self-care techniques as well as the value of engaging
professional support.
About the American Foundation for Suicide
Prevention:
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
is dedicated to saving lives and bringing hope to individuals
affected by suicide. The organization creates a culture
that is smart regarding mental 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/Illinois
Chicagoland Walk: afsp.org/Chicago and Corporate Teams Information:
chicagowalk.org/teams
If you or someone you know is at risk of
suicide, please call or text the U.S. National Suicide and Crisis
Lifeline at 988.
Statistics on Suicide:
https://afsp.org/suicide-statistics
Suicide Prevention Resources: www.afsp.org/resources
Suicide Warning Signs: www.afsp.org/signs
Media: Reporting on Suicide Prevention:
www.afsp.org/reporting-on-suicide-prevention
Video: B-roll of 2023 Chicagoland Walk 2023 Chicago
Out of the Darkness Walk B-roll_SOTS 10_21_23 (vimeo.com)
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SOURCE American Foundation for Suicide Prevention