The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's Illinois chapter has launched its 2026 Out of the Darkness Community Walks, a statewide series of fundraising and awareness events focused on suicide prevention, according to a PR Newswire release.
The Out of the Darkness walks are held by AFSP chapters across the country each year. Participants raise funds that support suicide prevention research, education programs, and advocacy work. The walks also provide a public space for people who have lost someone to suicide, or who have struggled themselves, to gather with others in their communities.
Suicide is among the leading causes of death in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has consistently ranked it in the top ten causes of death for Americans across a wide range of age groups. In Illinois, as in other states, the issue affects both urban and rural communities.
The AFSP Illinois chapter's 2026 campaign marks a continuation of events that have been held for years, though the organization noted that this year's rollout was being launched with fresh momentum. Community walks are held at the local level, meaning residents in different cities and towns across Illinois can participate without traveling to a central location.
Funds raised through the walks go toward AFSP's national and chapter-level programming. The organization focuses on research into suicide risk factors and prevention strategies, training programs for mental health professionals and community members, and public policy advocacy aimed at expanding mental health resources.
The walks also carry a community-building purpose that organizers say matters alongside the fundraising. For families who have experienced suicide loss, public events that acknowledge that loss can be a significant part of the grieving process. AFSP has incorporated survivor support into the structure of its walk program for many years.
Registration for Illinois walk locations was made available through the AFSP website. Specific walk dates and locations across the state were part of the 2026 campaign rollout.
