Shatter Our Silence hosts annual fundraiser for youth suicide prevention

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — September is Suicide Awareness Month, and Shatter Our Silence, an organization focused on suicide prevention among young adults, is hosting its annual fundraiser to support its mission of providing mental health resources without turning anyone away.

The event, which has grown in size and success each year, aims to raise funds to ensure the organization can continue its work in raising awareness and reducing the stigma surrounding mental health issues.

“Our goal is to never be able to say no to anyone who’s asked us to come,” said Kevin Polky, founder of Shatter Our Silence. “It’s important now more than ever to have organizations like ours around.”

The fundraiser will feature stories from young adults who have been impacted by the organization’s work, highlighting the importance of reaching out and supporting those in need.

“Each story is a story of redemption,” Polky noted.

Pokey also addressed the challenges posed by modern technology and social media, which can exacerbate feelings of anxiety and exposure.

“When we have something go wrong, it feels like it can be even more exposed than before,” he explained.

Polky said that through the fundraiser, Shatter Our Silence continues to push forward in its mission to prevent suicide and support mental health awareness, and ensure that no one has to face their struggles alone.

The event will be held on September 18th from 5:30pm-9pm at Prairie Street Brewing Company (200 Prairie St.).

All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by WTVO. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by WTVO staff before being published.