(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Several thousand people are taking part in a suicide prevention walk and support event Saturday near Montrose Harbor on Chicago's lakefront.
The Out of the Darkness Walk is a fundraiser for the Illinois Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
But it's a lot more than that, says Angela Cummings, the Executive Director. It provides a sense of community to those impacted in different ways.
"Here at the walk, we do have the honor beads, which are these Mardi Gras beads in various colors that you see people wearing. That's an instant sign of how someone is connected to the cause. If you lost a friend, for example, you wear the purple beads, if you struggle, yourself, you wear the green, if you lost a family member, a child, you wear white."
Ariana Squires is wearing green beads. She says it's "a very, very personal experience."
"It's a deeply emotional experience. There's always some tears. It's kind of weird to say but you immediately have this deep, profound connection with somebody."
She says, "everybody here gets it."
Cummings encourages people to be aware of the signs that someone is contemplating suicide. Sometimes, she says, they can be very subtle.
She says signs are usually "talk, behavior and mood."
People may be talking about feeling hopeless or being a burden. They may not show up for things they once did. They may be drinking more or sleeping a lot.
Donations to the foundation can be made at Chicagowalk.org.
Listen to WBBM Newsradio now on Audacy!
Sign up and follow WBBM Newsradio
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok