Thousands unite at Montrose Harbor for suicide prevention walk

CHICAGO (WGN) – Thousands of people crowded Montrose Harbor Saturday morning for a reflective and uplifting walk hosted by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

According to organizers, the event honoring those who’ve died by suicide and raises money to prevent it is the largest in the country.

Patti Rizo never thought she’d walk through life without her soulmate Jason by her side, but after losing him more than a decade ago, she’s grateful for a strong support system by her side. She’s also been taking steps forward with Jason etched in her heart.

“Jasoi as his nickname,” Rizo said. “We were together 17 and a half years, just a great guy, kind soul.”

Rizo was among more than 6,000 people who participated in this year’s out of the Darkness Chicagoland Walk, honoring the lives of people who have died by suicide, loved ones coping and individuals struggling with their mental health.

“We have to do a lot more advocacy to make sure our federal and state money for suicide prevention remains. We don’t want to lose that because it supports the research and programming,” Bob Gebbia, CEO of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, said.

Similar to the jammed walking path, a “why we walk” wall was filled with memories of loved ones who’ve died by suicide. WGN-TV’s Jewell Hillery lost her father this way in 2007, and like so many others, she finds comfort in sharing on the wall.

Janice Clarke, a volunteer for the American Foundation for Suicide, grieves the loss of her friend Zane Bloom, whom she remembered on the wall. As she honors his life, she said she knows the struggle herself and aims to spark hope in others, reminding them it’s okay to talk about mental health.

“I’ve been struggling with mental health and I actually just wrapped up a two-month medical leave from work to focus on that,” Clarke said.

With each step comes with a personal story and a collective march forward to remove the stigma associated with talking about mental health.

“It’s okay to talk about your mental health and that goes for everyone,” Clarke said.

Saturday’s walk raised over $800,000 for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

This fall, the organization is hosting 400 walks in cities across the country to spread awareness and raise money for prevention.