On September 27, people from across the region came 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 started at Montrose Harbor on September 27th. The event featured 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 percent of suicide deaths. Firearms accounted for 55.36 percent of all suicide deaths. People can learn the warning signs at afsp.org/signs. For more information, visit www.afsp.org/Illinois and/or www.chicagowalk.org. 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.

Photo Credit: Illinois Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention