American Foundation for Suicide Prevention - Illinois Chapter

At AFSP's 20th Annual Chapter Leadership Conference, AFSP Illinois Chapter was awarded (for the 15th year) AFSP's #1 Fundraising Community Walk for the 2024 Out of the Darkness Chicagoland Walk! THANK YOU to all walkers, donors, volunteers, community partners and sponsors for your support! We couldn't have done it without you! Let's go for SWEET 16! Register today for the 2025 Out of the Darkness Chicagoland Walk on SEPTEMBER 27, 2025 afsp.org/Chicago

Join us for a virtual free presentation of L.E.T.S. (Listening, Empathy, Trust, Support) Save Lives: An Introduction to Suicide Prevention for Black and African American Communities. Scheduled for Thursday, April 3, 2025 from 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM CST. L.E.T.S. is a 90-minute presentation designed to reduce cultural stigma, foster conversations about mental health, and raise awareness of suicide prevention. L.E.T.S. Save Lives is grounded in research and delivered by trained presenters who identify as having lived experience within the Black and/or African American community. After attending L.E.T.S. Save Lives, participants will be able to:   ✨Understand the scope of suicide among the Black and African American population   ✨Understand the racial and systemic factors that impact suicide in the Black and African American community   ✨Describe suicide risk and protective factors for Black and African American communities   ✨Describe warning signs of suicide   ✨Learn how to get help for someone in a suicidal crisis   ✨Gain confidence in talking to someone about suicide Register now at AFSPILPROGRAMS.ORG or visit afsp.org/calendar

Get involved in a cause that can change lives. Register for the Out of the Darkness Chicagoland Walk today! Your support makes a difference. AFSP.ORG/CHICAGO #WalkWithUs #OOTDChicagolandWalk

Please support the AFSP Illinois Out of the Darkness Campus Walks. Register or make a donation today at afsp.org/ILCampus Register for one of the OOTD Campus Walks In Illinois by March 14th for a chance to receive an AFSP umbrella! #HopeWalksHere #AFSPIL #OOTDCampusWalks

Step up for suicide prevention and register for the Out of the Darkness Chicagoland Walk. Create a team, recruit your friends, and let's walk to save lives. Register today at afsp.org/Chicago

Happening tomorrow! The AFSPIL Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee will be hosting a panel discussion on normalizing conversations around mental health in the Black community. We will discuss the role of faith, family, and trusted institutions in mental health advocacy. Participants will be empowered with actionable strategies for self-care and support. Mental health in the Black community is too often ignored, stigmatized, overlooked, or under-served. It’s time to break the silence. Join us for a virtual panel discussion as we explore and address stigma, systemic barriers, and solutions. Let’s heal, learn, and advocate together! The purpose of this panel discussion is to explore the unique barriers to mental health care, the impact of historical and systemic factors, and ways to create culturally competent support systems within the Black community. Experts, advocates, and community leaders will discuss solutions to bridge the gap between mental health resources and those in need. Register now and join us for this important discussion! AFSPILPROGRAMS.ORG

You're invited to make a difference. Walk with us to raise awareness and funds for suicide prevention. #WalkWithUs at the Out of the Darkness Chicagoland Walk on September 27th. No registration fee. Raise $150 and earn an official walk t-shirt. afsp.org/CHICAGO

Talk Saves Lives: An Introduction to Suicide Prevention for Latinx and Hispanic Communities is a community presentation that 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. Following this presentation, participants should be able to: 1. Describe the scope of the problem of suicide within Latinx and Hispanic Communities 2. Describe suicide risk and protective factors specific to Latinx and Hispanic Communities 3. Describe warning signs of suicide 4. Explain how to get help for yourself or someone in a suicidal crisis 5. Explain how to seek and offer support for yourself or others Join us Tues, March 25th for a virtual presentation at 6:00 PM. Register now at AFSPILPROGRAMS.ORG

The AFSPIL Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee will be hosting a panel discussion on normalizing conversations around mental health in the Black community. We will discuss the role of faith, family, and trusted institutions in mental health advocacy. Participants will be empowered with actionable strategies for self-care and support. Mental health in the Black community is too often ignored, stigmatized, overlooked, or under-served. It’s time to break the silence. Join us for a virtual panel discussion as we explore and address stigma, systemic barriers, and solutions. Let’s heal, learn, and advocate together! The purpose of this panel discussion is to explore the unique barriers to mental health care, the impact of historical and systemic factors, and ways to create culturally competent support systems within the Black community. Experts, advocates, and community leaders will discuss solutions to bridge the gap between mental health resources and those in need. Register now and join us for this important discussion! AFSPILPROGRAMS.ORG

The Illinois Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention focuses on eliminating the loss of life from suicide through education, research, outreach, and advocacy. Donations to the Out of the Darkness Chicagoland Walk help to make this possible. Donate or register today at AFSP.ORG/CHICAGO #WalkWithUs #OOTDChicagolandWalk #AFSPIL #OOTDWalks