AFSP Illinois Chapter

Want to help promote the 2026 Out of the Darkness Chicagoland Walk? Here's an easy way to get involved.

Order free promotional materials — including yard signs, flyers, business cards, and more — to help raise awareness in your community ahead of the Walk on Saturday, October 3 at Montrose Harbor. Materials are available in both English and Spanish.

Start by sharing them with family, friends, and coworkers. Then consider reaching out to local coffee shops, gyms, restaurants, and other neighborhood businesses — many are happy to display a flyer, keep cards by the register, or include one with customer orders.

Get started here: www.chicagowalk.org/PromoteTheWalk

Today marks the 4th anniversary of the 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline.

In honor of this milestone, AFSP Illinois stopped by to visit our friends at Fireplace & Chimney Authority, a proud member of the Lifesaver Club for the 2026 Out of the Darkness Chicagoland Walk. Their new service van features a su***de prevention design, complete with the AFSP Illinois logo and the 988 logo, helping raise awareness and ensuring more people know where to turn for support.

We're so grateful for valued partners like Fireplace & Chimney Authority, who are committed to supporting their communities and helping keep them safe and healthy. 💙

📸 AFSP Illinois Board Chair Phil Martinez, center, with Fireplace & Chimney Authority's Scott Bogat (left) and Adam McMahon (right)

to the 2025 Out of the Darkness St. Clair County (Metro East) Walk in Belleville. Thank you to everyone who came out and showed their support for mental health and su***de prevention.

Ready to make a difference in your community? Sign up for your local Out of the Darkness Walk today at afsp.org/ILtogether and join the fight to save lives and ***de.

What's your why?

Our second July challenge for the 2026 Out of the Darkness Chicagoland Walk is here! Thanks to our presenting sponsor, Happiness Project, three participants will win a gift pack featuring:

— A $150 gift card
— A Chase the Sunrise T-shirt
— A pack of Kindness Cards

Here's how to enter:

1. Download and print one of the posters from the Chicagoland Walk page.
2. Fill in your reason for participating in this year's Walk.
3. Snap a photo of yourself with the sign and share it by commenting on this post, tagging AFSP Illinois on your socials, or emailing it to [email protected].

Be sure to submit your entry by July 31. We can't wait to hear what inspires you to walk. Every message shared helps spread and reminds others that no one has to face their struggles alone.

For more on the 2026 Out of the Darkness Chicagoland Walk, visit afsp.org/Chicago. 💙