(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — This week's Difference Maker is a group that helps people at risk of suicide. The topic is timely, with the apparent suicide of a former Miss USA.
Related
Jennifer Fournier is with the Illinois Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, which organizes October's yearly "Out of the Darkness" walk along the Chicago lakefront.
"It's an annual walk that we've had since 2004, and it's the largest suicide prevent walk in the country. We've raised over $8 million for suicide prevention and research," she tells WBBM Newsradio.
The foundation also offers support and help to people at risk of suicide. People with suicidal thoughts can 1-800-273-8255 for help or text “talk” to 741741 if they are in crisis, Fournier noted.
"That's really the goal of raising awareness for mental health and for suicide prevention, specifically. It's the tenth leading cause of death in America, and in Illinois it’s the third leading cause of death for ages 10 to 34. So, it's something we've been trying to fight for a long time," she said.