Largest Suicide Prevention Event in the U.S., the Out of the Darkness Chicagoland Walk, Steps Off on September 27

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Chicagoland Walk helps save lives, bring hope to those affected by suicide

CHICAGO, July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- 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 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 27, 2025. 

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 2^nd leading cause of death for ages 10-34, the 4^th leading cause of death for ages 35-44, and the 5^th leading cause of death for ages 45-54. In Illinois, suicide is the 3^rd leading cause of death for ages 15-34 and 4^th leading 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 this grief 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 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 Allison Rosati, anchor for NBC 5 Chicago, which is a media partner for the event. Other media partners include Telemundo, Audacy, and CHICAGO magazine. 

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: 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.

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 2024 Chicagoland Walk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rnfCGdMnBs

SOURCE American Foundation for Suicide Prevention