"Looking Out for Each Other" is Focus of National Suicide Prevention Month this September

Throughout Illinois and the US, people come together to bring comfort while raising awareness of risks and warning signs of this leading cause of death

CHICAGO, Sept. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- September is National Suicide Prevention Month and this year the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) is underscoring looking out for each other by encouraging the public to join one of the hundreds of community Out of the Darkness Walks thoughout the country or getting involved in other events throughout the month. The Illinois chapter of AFSP hosts the largest event in the country with the Out of the Darkness Chicagoland Walk, which steps off from Montrose Harbor on Saturday, September 27. Additional opportunities to learn and show support are taking place throughout the month.

Leading cause of death
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. 

National Suicide Prevention Month: Illinois Events

AFSP IL - Talk Saves Lives: An Introduction to Suicide Prevention for the Construction Industry – Tuesday, September 9, 11 a.m. – noon – virtual event
Talk Saves Lives: An Introduction to Suicide Prevention in the Construction Industry is a version of AFSP's flagship suicide prevention education program tailored for the construction industry. This presentation covers the scope of this leading cause of death in the construction industry, what the research has found to be the warning signs and risk factors of suicide, and the strategies that prevent it.

Caring Communities: Guidance for Supporting Survivors of Suicide Loss - Thursday, September 11, 11 a.m. – Noon – Virtual
This one-hour presentation, available in-person or virtually, is designed to provide participants with information, resources, and practical guidance on how to support someone who has experienced a recent loss to suicide. The program will review suicide as a complex health issue, the impact of suicide on loss survivors, practical way to support survivors in various settings, and available resources.

AFSP IL | Talk Saves Lives: Latinx for Hispanic Heritage Month – Monday, September 15, 6 p.m. – 7 p.m. – Virtual
This community presentation covers what we know about this leading cause of death, the most up-to-date research on prevention, and the strategies that can help save lives. The presentation will provide information on the problem of suicide within the Latinx and Hispanic communities, suicide risk and protective factors specific to these communities, warning signs and ways to get help for yourself or others.

AFSP IL | Talk Saves Lives: Supporting Our Veterans – Tuesday, September 16, 6 p.m. – 7 p.m. – Virtual
Talk Saves Lives: Supporting Our Veterans is a 60-minute educational program for general audiences to learn about the impact of suicide among veterans, identify contributors to veteran suicide and protective factors, along with providing practical ways to recognize warning signs of suicide, navigate tough conversations, and connect veterans to support in ways that respect their autonomy. 

This is a pilot presentation of this new program. By participating, you will have an opportunity to provide feedback to help shape this program ahead of its full launch in November 2025.

Chicagoland Walk – Saturday, September 27, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
On September 27, participants from the region will attend the Out of the Darkness (OOTD) Chicagoland Walk to raise awareness about suicide prevention and support individuals impacted by suicide. Sponsored by the Illinois Chapter of AFSP, the three-mile walk starts at Montrose Harbor and runs from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. on September 27, 2025.
Chicagoland Walk: chicagowalk.org

Communities across Illinois will join the fight against suicide in local Out of the Darkness Community Walks this fall:

• Southern Illinois Walk – 10 a.m., September 6, Cobden Park, Cobden, IL
• West Central Illinois Walk – 10 a.m., September 13, Lake Storey Park, Galesburg, IL
• Quad Cities Illinois Walk – 1:00 p.m., September 21, Wharton Field House, Moline, IL
• Dekalb County Walk – 9 a.m., September 27, Hopkins Park, Dekalb, IL
• Greater Peoria Walk – 10 a.m., September 27, Fon du Lac Park District, East Peoria, IL
• Macomb/McDonough County Walk – 10 a.m., September 27, Macomb City Hall, Macomb, IL
• Quincy Walk – 10 a.m., October 4, South Park, Quincy, IL
• Kankakee County Walk – 1 p.m., October 4, Kankakee Community College, Kankakee, IL
• Springfield Illinois Walk – 1:30 p.m., October 4, UIS Springfield – Student Union Building, Springfield, IL
• Rockford Walk – 11 a.m., October 5, Rock Valley College – WTC Building, Rockford, IL
• Bloomington/Normal Walk – 11 a.m., October 11, Tipton Park North Shelter, Bloomington, IL
• LaSalle County Walk – 1 p.m., October 11, Washington Park, Ottawa, IL
• Madison County Walk – 6 p.m., October 11, Roxana High School Football Field, Roxana, IL
• St. Clair County Walk – 9:30 a.m., October 18, The Square, Belleville, IL
• Find other local community walks: www.afsp.org/ILTogether

"Suicide continues to be a national health concern linked to a number of factors like mental and physical health conditions, family mental illness or family history of suicide, childhood trauma, abuse or neglect, and genetics," said Angela Cummings, executive director of AFSP-Illinois. "Ongoing research shows suicide is preventable, and AFSP is committed to end this leading cause of death."

Individuals can help prevent suicide by knowing the warning signs and getting help when warranted.

• Learn the signs of someone who may be at risk for suicide. Often there are changes in behavior such as mood swings, angry outbursts, or loss of interest in activities they love.
• Reach out to someone who you think may be struggling. Trust your gut if you are concerned. Ask directly if they have thoughts of ending their life – research shows this is helpful and does not put the thought in their mind.
• Connect those who are struggling to help. Share the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline as well as general and other resources for minority communities.

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

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