Presented by American Foundation for Suicide Prevention – Illinois Chapter
On September 27, 2025, over 6,000 people from across the Chicagoland area will come together for the largest suicide prevention event in the country: the Out of the Darkness (OOTD) Chicagoland Walk. This annual 3-mile walk hosted by the Illinois Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) helps to save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide. The walk begins at 9:00 a.m. with an opening ceremony at 10:30 a.m., kicking off the start of the walk at 11:00 a.m. Participants can sign up as individuals or as a team. AFSP-Illinois hopes to raise $1 million this year, which is invested in life-saving research, education, advocacy, and support for those impacted by suicide. Donations will be accepted through December 31, 2025.
The OOTD Chicagoland Walk is one of hundreds held in cities throughout the country. Since 2004, these walks 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 walk 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 the participant’s personal connection to the cause.
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. In the United States in 2023, suicide was the 2nd leading cause of death for ages 10-34, the 4th leading cause of death for ages 35-44. In Illinois, suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death for ages 15-34 and 4th 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.”
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, WGN Radio 720, iHeartMedia Rock 95.5 and CHICAGO magazine. Top sponsors include Crowe, ComPsych, Compass Health Center, and United Airlines. A full list of sponsors can be found at chicagowalk.org/Sponsor.
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 and valuable resources that emphasize the importance of research-proven self-care techniques as well as the value of engaging professional support. To request a free AFSP program presentation, please visit afspilspeaker.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.
