AFSP Illinois Chapter

03/15/2026

Anyone can be an advocate for su***de prevention. Yes, even you! 🫵

can look like:

— Getting involved in our Action Center
— Emailing legislators
— Engaging with public officials
— Visiting Capitol Hill
— And more!

Learn more: afsp.org/advocacy
Join Illinois Advocacy Action Day: 2026-ilaad.attendease.com

03/14/2026

¡Inspira a otros a unirse a ti en nuestra Caminata por la Esperanza de la Construcción de Illinois! Aquí tienes cómo correr la voz:

— Descarga e imprime nuestros carteles desde la página de la Caminata en nuestro sitio web
— Escribe tu mensaje personal de
— Toma una foto y compártela en las redes sociales

Luego, acompáñanos en Grafton o Downers Grove el 13 de junio para la Caminata por la Esperanza de la Construcción de Illinois.

Más información: afsp.org/ILconstruction 👷‍♂️👷‍♀️

03/14/2026

In 2014, Cortez and Tammy Bush-Hamilton lost their daughter to su***de. Tammy found support through AFSP Illinois and community events like Advocacy Action Day and our Out of the Darkness Walks.

Today, Tammy serves on the AFSP Illinois board and leads Tam's Beautiful Butterflies 501C3 Non-profit Organization, an organization she founded in 2018 to bring su***de prevention education and mental health support to schools and colleges across the Metro East area.

On this , we recognize Tammy's strength, compassion, and commitment to helping others find during life's hardest moments.

🦋 For more on Tam's Beautiful Butterflies, visit tamsbeautifulbutterflies.com.

03/14/2026

Our AFSP Illinois chapter is dedicated to building a community where everyone can thrive and just be themselves.

We invite you to join us in our mission to save lives and bring to those affected by su***de. Learn more and get involved at afsp.org/Illinois.

🦋

03/14/2026

Mental health is deeply personal, and outside factors can affect each of us in different ways.

If you're having a tough day, give yourself a moment to pause and consider what might be influencing your wellbeing. A little reflection can bring clarity and make it easier to navigate your emotions with care.

03/13/2026

Su***de prevention research findings you need to know this March:

💙 A study by Yunyu Xiao, Ph.D., found that Extreme Risk Protection Order laws impacted firearm su***de rates in four U.S. states.

🩺 A new assessment could help clinicians improve short-term su***de risk detection, according to a study by Sarah Bloch-Elkouby, Ph.D.

🧒 A study by Catherine Glenn, Ph.D, reveals that effective psychosocial therapies treat self-injurious thoughts and behaviors in youth.

🧠 ADHD medication timing relates to su***de risk before and during treatment, reveals a study by Brian D’Onofrio, Ph.D.

Read the full roundup: afsp.org/story/march-research-roundup-2026

***de

03/13/2026

The construction industry has one of the highest su***de rates in the U.S. compared to other industries. 💛

That’s why, last week, AFSP staff and chapter members joined over 140,000 others at CONEXPO-CON/AGG to help confront su***de in the construction industry. Some highlights from the event include:

🚧 Over 250 conversations with construction industry professionals about mental health and su***de prevention at our Hard Hat Courage booth
👷 A presentation of Talk Saves Lives: Construction, a su***de prevention education program for the construction industry
🛠️ A presentation by AFSP’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Christine Yu Moutier, titled “Caring for Our Own: Supporting Mental Health & Su***de Prevention at Work.”
🎥 Over 10 media opportunities, including interviews, content development, and social media spotlights ​
​
AFSP is committed to saving lives by making it safe to talk about mental health — every day, on every jobsite — by equipping construction craft and industry professionals, as well as their companies, with the tools to take care of themselves and each other. Learn more at hardhatcourage.com 🔗

03/13/2026

Out of the Darkness Campus Walks are AFSP's signature student fundraising series — bringing students, families, and communities across Illinois together to support su***de prevention and change the conversation around mental health.

Join us this spring for one of our two Campus Walks in Illinois. Let's take the next step toward a ***de. 👟💙

Lewis University | April 25, 9 a.m.
afsp.org/LewisU

Northwestern University | May 31, 12 p.m.
afsp.org/Northwestern

03/13/2026

State Senator Christopher Belt has advanced important su***de prevention legislation that passed committee this week and is now headed to the Illinois Senate for a vote. We're proud to share that AFSP Illinois board member Tammy Bush-Hamilton played a key role in supporting this effort!

Senate Bill 2771, named Tammurra's Act in memory of Tammy's daughter, would expand su***de prevention awareness by requiring 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline information to be prominently displayed in public spaces, adding evidence-based su***de prevention education to school health curricula for students in grades 6–12, and directing the Illinois Department of Corrections to provide su***de prevention resources to individuals as they reenter the community after leaving prison.

How you can help:

📱 Contact your Illinois State Senator and urge them to vote YES on SB2771 — find your legislators at ilga.gov/members/FindMyLegislator.

📣 Join AFSP Illinois for Advocacy Action Day on Thursday, March 26, where you'll have the opportunity to speak directly with lawmakers about su***de prevention: 2026-ilaad.attendease.com

The Illinois Senate Behavioral and Mental Health Committee unanimously approved a bill Wednesday to improve access to su***de prevention services.

03/13/2026

For many long-term su***de loss survivors, discovering community and a sense of belonging has been vital in their healing journey. 👥

At our Long-Term Survivors of Su***de Loss Summit (July 16–19, Baltimore), long-term loss survivors will have the opportunity to hear keynote speakers, find hope and healing, and form community.

💙 Register here: afsp.org/survivorsummit

03/12/2026

On March 17, Sangamon County voters will decide whether to approve a 0.5% sales tax increase to fund a new 708 Mental Health Board — one that could reshape how the county responds to its most pressing mental health needs.

If approved, the measure is expected to generate nearly $15 million each year to strengthen local services. That funding would help close real gaps in crisis response, substance use treatment, and everyday mental health care for roughly 7,800 county residents living with serious mental illness.

Read the story: nprillinois.org/sangamon-county/2026-03-06/will-sangamon-county-voters-approve-funding-for-a-mental-health-board

The proposed 0.5% sales tax increase would fund the new board. The effort came about in the aftermath of Sonya Massey's murder.

03/12/2026

Last year, our incredible AFSP Illinois delegates were part of something truly special. Nearly 250 volunteer advocates gathered in Washington, D.C., to urge Congress to prioritize su***de prevention and mental health policies that save lives.

Now it's your turn. Our AFSP Illinois Advocacy Action Day later this month is your chance to make your voice heard and be part of this important work.

Don't miss out — we'd love to have you join us!

📣 AFSP Illinois Advocacy Action Day
📅 Thursday, March 26
📍 Illinois State Library in Springfield
💻 2026-ilaad.attendease.com