Raising money, awareness for suicide prevention effort
At first glance, it looked like participants were wearing Mardi Gras beads during the Out of the Darkness Community Walk Saturday at Busse Woods in Elk Grove Village.
A closer look revealed their true meaning: Different colored strands stood for a friend or relative who had committed suicide.
White beads were for children, red for spouses, gold for parents, orange for siblings and purple for friends or other relatives.
"I look at those and I know immediately what they went through," said Sue Campbell of Elgin, who wore a strand of white beads in memory of her son, Skyler, who committed suicide in 2004.
In all, more than 500 walkers -- twice as many as last year -- turned out for the walk, which raised money and awareness for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
Proceeds from the event reflected its double-digit growth. Organizers collected more than $96,000 Saturday from teams of walkers, with more donations coming in online.
"I can't believe it. It's more than twice as much as last year," said Liz Mare of Carpentersville, who co-chaired the event with Lisa Miller of Palatine.
The increase in participants was bittersweet, they agreed.
"I'm saddened that our numbers have grown, but happy that they have an outlet for healing," said Miller, whose brother committed suicide in 1993. "I hope this helps them get through their grief process, which is different after someone dies from suicide."
Teams turned out in T-shirts that bore pictures of their loved ones. Friends and family members of Danielle Marie Poulos of Elgin, who died in January, wore shirts with her picture on the front, and the saying "Forever 19," on the back.
"The grief and pain is still very fresh; our lives will never be the same," said her mother, Diana. "But I'm hoping that by being here I will find some peace and tranquility just knowing I'm not the only one, that there are others going through this."
Organizers pointed to statistics from the American Association of Suicidology indicating more than 32,000 Americans die by suicide each year and that close to 1 million Americans attempt it.
They added that suicide is the third-leading cause of death among teens and young adults, and the second-leading cause of death for college students. Older Americans are not immune. Suicide accounts for 20 percent of deaths in people over 65.
Dr. Edmond Yomtoob, a clinical psychologist and American Foundation for Suicide Prevention board member, said the turnout also reflected movement in people's perception of suicide and depression, which accounts for 90 percent of suicide deaths.
"People are a little more comfortable in discussing it," Yomtoob said, "and that can lead to more education and awareness, which ultimately leads to prevention."