CHICAGO – November 05, 2026 -- People who have lost someone to suicide can attend free in-person and virtual gatherings across Illinois between Nov. 14 and Nov. 22, culminating in International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day on Saturday, Nov. 21.
Illinois chapter hosts events for all kinds of loss
The Illinois Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) is organizing the events. They are open to anyone who has lost a family member, friend, co-worker, or peer to suicide. Each one includes time for reflection, support, and connection, and the in-person events include a shared meal.
AFSP Illinois Executive Director Angela Cummings said "healing becomes possible when we come together with others who understand."
Congress created Survivor Day in 1999
The day, also known as Survivor Day, was established by a 1999 congressional resolution introduced by the late U.S. Senator Harry Reid. It falls on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, a timing that recognizes the challenges many loss survivors face during the holiday season.
Eleven AFSP Illinois events run from Nov. 14 to Nov. 22
- Saturday, Nov. 14: 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Anna, Stinson Memorial Library Auditorium
- Tuesday, Nov. 17: 6-8 p.m. CST, virtual event for LGBTQ+ communities
- Friday, Nov. 20: 1-4 p.m. CT, North Chicago, Lovell Federal Health Care Center
- Saturday, Nov. 21:
- 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Joliet, Trinity Services
- 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Crystal Lake, McHenry County Mental Health Board
- 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Downers Grove, St. Luke Church
- 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Belleville, Heartlinks Grief Center
- 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Schaumburg, Kenneth Young Center
- 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Chicago, Catholic Charities, hosted by the L.O.S.S. Program
- 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Maywood, West 40
- Sunday, Nov. 22: 1-3:30 p.m. CT, Illinois statewide virtual event
Two more virtual events on Nov. 22 come from other organizations
Other organizations are sponsoring two additional Illinois Survivor Day events on Sunday, Nov. 22. "Through a Jewish Lens: Hope and Healing for Suicide Loss Survivors" runs 12-2 p.m. EST. A Spanish-language event, Día Internacional de los Supervivientes a la Muerte por Suicidio, runs 2-5 p.m. EST.
Registration details are under the "Events" tab at afsp.org/Illinois. A listing of nationwide virtual Survivor Day events is available at afsp.org/story/survivor-day-virtual-events.
Anyone who needs support now can call or text 988, or chat via 988lifeline.org to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.