The Illinois Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) has released the schedule for its 2026 Out of the Darkness Community Walks, a statewide initiative dedicated to suicide prevention and mental health awareness. The annual campaign, recognized as the largest of its kind in Illinois, will be held in 14 communities across the state between September and October 2026.

AFSP Illinois is encouraging individuals, businesses, community organizations, and advocates to participate in this year's campaign with the goal of raising more than $1 million to support suicide prevention programs and mental health initiatives. Suicide remains a significant public health concern in Illinois, ranking as the third leading cause of death among people aged 15 to 34 and the fourth leading cause of death for adults aged 35 to 54.

Part of a national network of more than 400 Out of the Darkness Walks, these community events unite survivors, families, friends, and supporters to raise awareness, generate critical funding, and reinforce the message that suicide is preventable and that individuals facing mental health challenges are not alone.

"Many participants experience the AFSP support community for the first time through these walks," said Philip Martinez, Board Chair of the AFSP Illinois Chapter. "Coming together allows us to remember those we've lost, encourage those who are struggling, and provide essential funding for programs that save lives in schools, workplaces, and communities throughout Illinois."

Ways to Participate
Participation in any Out of the Darkness Community Walk is free of charge. Supporters can contribute in several ways:

Registration for Illinois events is available through the AFSP Illinois Community Walks webpage, while supporters outside the state can locate their nearest walk using the interactive map on the national AFSP website.

"Every registration, team, and donation helps reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and strengthens our mission of suicide prevention," said Angela Cummings, Executive Director of AFSP Illinois. "Each walk reminds us that hope grows when communities come together and support one another."

2026 Illinois Out of the Darkness Community Walk Schedule
Residents across Illinois will have opportunities to participate in the following events:

Advancing Suicide Prevention
Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that suicide is the second leading cause of death among Americans aged 10 to 34, impacting approximately one in five U.S. families. According to the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), an estimated 12.8 million adults aged 18 and older experienced suicidal thoughts, while approximately 1.5 million adults (0.6%) reported attempting suicide during the previous year. Despite these alarming figures, public awareness continues to grow, with 91% of U.S. adults believing that suicide can be prevented.

Through the 2026 Out of the Darkness Community Walks, AFSP Illinois hopes to expand awareness, strengthen local support networks, and generate the resources needed to advance research, education, advocacy, and programs that help save lives across the state.

Creyos, a global provider of digital cognitive and behavioral health assessment solutions, has announced that its technology is featured in two research posters at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC) 2026, the premier international forum for dementia research. While one study focuses on improving the early identification of cognitive impairment in clinical practice, the other examines the long-term effects of bushfire smoke exposure on the cognitive health of rural firefighters. Together, these studies demonstrate the versatility of the Creyos platform in addressing diverse questions related to brain health.

Cognitive performance is influenced by a broad range of factors, including genetics, lifestyle, environmental exposures, and clinical conditions. However, many conventional cognitive assessment tools have struggled to keep pace with these evolving research and healthcare needs. In clinical environments, commonly used screening methods often face challenges such as ceiling effects, cultural bias, and dependence on trained professionals for administration. Meanwhile, researchers investigating large populations require assessment tools that can be administered efficiently across geographically dispersed participants. The studies presented at AAIC 2026 illustrate how the Creyos platform addresses both challenges by supporting validated dementia screening in healthcare settings while also enabling large-scale cognitive research in environmental health.

According to Adrian Owen, Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience and Imaging at Western University and Chief Scientific Officer at Creyos, both studies seek to answer a common question from different perspectives: whether cognitive impairment can be detected accurately and at an early stage. He noted that cognitive decline can emerge across a variety of settings wherever the brain experiences biological stress, making it essential to use assessment tools capable of delivering consistent and reliable results regardless of where testing occurs.

He further highlighted that Creyos assessments are supported by extensive normative data collected over several decades from nearly 100,000 individuals of different ages, languages, geographical regions, and health backgrounds. This comprehensive foundation enables the platform to produce dependable results whether assessments are conducted in specialized memory clinics, community outreach programs, or from participants' homes.

Highlights of the AAIC 2026 Research Presentations
1. Improving Early Detection of Cognitive Impairment
Western University – Adrian Owen, PhD, OBE, FRS, FRSC, FCAHS
The Creyos Dementia Protocol (CDP) is a longitudinal research initiative designed to expand upon earlier findings published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, where the Creyos cognitive screener was successfully validated in a clinical population. The current study extends that work by evaluating the screener across the full spectrum of cognitive decline within a larger population.

The screening approach combines two computerized cognitive tasks that assess visuospatial working memory and attention with a machine learning algorithm trained on data from thousands of individuals. Previous validation studies demonstrated excellent performance, achieving complete sensitivity in identifying patients clinically diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease while maintaining high specificity among matched control participants. Importantly, the system also identified one Alzheimer's patient whose score exceeded the traditional impairment threshold of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), suggesting greater sensitivity for detecting subtle cognitive decline. In addition, the screener distinguished dementia-related impairment from cognitive changes associated with other medical conditions.

The ongoing CDP study will monitor approximately 400 participants representing four stages of cognitive decline over a 12-month period to further evaluate the screener's effectiveness in real-world settings.

2. Assessing the Cognitive Effects of Bushfire Smoke Exposure
QIMR Berghofer – Michelle Lupton, PhD
The R-FIRE (Rural Firefighter Investigation of Risk & Exposure) study is exploring whether prolonged exposure to bushfire smoke has measurable effects on cognitive function among more than 1,800 rural firefighters in Australia. The Creyos platform forms an important component of the study's cognitive assessment program.

As bushfire seasons become longer and more severe, firefighters are increasingly exposed to high concentrations of smoke containing fine particulate matter capable of entering the bloodstream and potentially affecting the brain. R-FIRE aims to determine whether repeated exposure to these particles is associated with measurable cognitive decline.

Participants complete a series of Creyos cognitive assessments alongside detailed health and exposure questionnaires. Additionally, a subset of firefighters representing the highest and lowest levels of smoke exposure will undergo blood testing for biomarkers, including indicators associated with Alzheimer's disease pathology.

The R-FIRE project builds upon earlier work from the Prospective Imaging Study of Aging (PISA), one of the world's largest research programs dedicated to the early detection of Alzheimer's disease, which previously demonstrated the effectiveness of the Creyos platform for remote cognitive assessment among adults between 42 and 75 years of age.

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The American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) is introducing a new, free five-part educational program for mental health professionals who support individuals living with Parkinson's disease (PD) and their families. Titled Bridging Mental Health and Parkinson's Care, the course is designed to deepen understanding of the emotional and psychological challenges associated with Parkinson's while equipping practitioners with practical tools to better support both patients and their care partners.

The online training series will be released over five months, with one session becoming available each month from July 22 through November 18, 2026. Participants who complete each module will be eligible to earn one continuing education (CE) credit per session.
Course Schedule

Session 1: Understanding Parkinson's Disease – Building a Strong Foundation for Mental Health Professionals
Available: Wednesday, July 22, 2026
Led by Melita Petrossian, MD, Director of the Pacific Movement Disorders Center, the opening session introduces participants to Parkinson's disease, including its symptoms, progression, psychosocial effects, and the close connection between neurological changes and mental health.

Session 2: Mental Health Challenges in Parkinson's Disease
Available: Wednesday, August 26, 2026
Presented by Gloria Lebeaux, LCSW, Director of Social Services at Friedberg JCC, this session focuses on identifying and managing depression, anxiety, and apathy in individuals with PD. It also covers evidence-based therapeutic approaches and practical intervention strategies for clinicians.

Session 3: Supporting Family Caregivers
Available: Wednesday, September 23, 2026
Facilitated by Sheila Moore, MSG, LCSW, of the Pacific Movement Disorder Center, together with Maureen Feldman, MA, Director of the Social Isolation Impact Project, this module examines the emotional demands placed on caregivers. Participants will learn approaches to strengthen caregiver resilience, enhance well-being, and connect families with appropriate support resources.

Session 4: Age and Cultural Perspectives in Parkinson's Mental Health Care
Available: Wednesday, October 28, 2026
In this session, Natalie Diaz, MD, of the Pacific Neuroscience Institute, discusses how cultural background and age influence the mental health experiences of people living with Parkinson's. The presentation also emphasizes culturally responsive, equitable approaches to care.

Session 5: Understanding Grief and Loss
Available: Wednesday, November 18, 2026
Presented by Lori Nisson, LCSW, of Banner Health, the concluding session explores anticipatory grief, ambiguous loss, and practical strategies that help maintain quality of life for both individuals with Parkinson's and those who care for them.

According to Rosa Peña, MSW, APDA's Senior Vice President of Programs & Services, the emotional and psychological effects of Parkinson's disease frequently receive less attention than its physical symptoms, despite their significant influence on everyday life. She noted that this specialized training is intended to give mental health practitioners the knowledge and confidence needed to provide compassionate, informed, and effective support for people with Parkinson's disease and their caregivers.

The new program expands APDA's growing collection of professional education courses, which also includes:

All APDA professional training programs are delivered online, offered at no cost, available to anyone interested, and can be completed at each participant's own pace, making them accessible to professionals seeking flexible continuing education opportunities.

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Gold Coast Health Plan (GCHP) is commemorating 15 years of delivering coordinated healthcare services to Medi-Cal beneficiaries in Ventura County.

GCHP began operations on July 1, 2011, as California's sixth County Organized Health System, initially providing managed care services to approximately 100,000 Medi-Cal recipients through a network of primary care physicians, specialists, behavioral health professionals, and hospitals. As Medi-Cal eligibility expanded over the years, GCHP's membership more than doubled, reaching a peak of nearly 255,000 enrollees. Correspondingly, the organization's workforce grew significantly, expanding from 25 employees to more than 400.

"Today, we recognize and celebrate our employees, healthcare providers, and community partners who remain committed to supporting our members throughout every stage of their healthcare journey," said Dr. Felix Nuñez, chief executive officer of GCHP. "Although the healthcare landscape continues to evolve rapidly and presents ongoing challenges, our team and partners have remained steadfast in our mission to deliver high-quality care and services to our members."

Over the past 15 years, GCHP has experienced sustained growth while increasing its impact throughout Ventura County. According to annual quality assessments conducted by the California Department of Health Care Services for Medi-Cal managed care plans, GCHP has consistently ranked among the state's highest-performing health plans in recent years for improving access to preventive health screenings and immunizations.

In keeping with industry standards and best practices, GCHP achieved dual accreditation last year. The organization earned Health Equity Accreditation from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) in recognition of its efforts to understand and address the diverse healthcare needs of its members. It also received NCQA Health Plan Accreditation, reflecting its commitment to quality measurement and continuous improvement.

In 2025, GCHP expanded its offerings by launching Total Care Advantage (HMO D-SNP), a program designed to integrate Medi-Cal and Medicare benefits for low-income seniors and individuals with disabilities residing in Ventura County.

Throughout its history, GCHP has supported healthcare providers and community organizations through grants, scholarships, and sponsorship initiatives aimed at expanding access to care and strengthening community resources. Over the past two years alone, its Resilience, Innovation, Sustainability & Equity (RISE) grant program has distributed more than $13 million to local clinics, hospitals, and community organizations to enhance services for Medi-Cal members.

"Our partnerships with healthcare providers and community organizations have played a critical role in improving access to care and health outcomes for the communities we serve," Nuñez said.

"The meaningful progress we've achieved together over the years is truly something to celebrate."

The Corporation for Independent Living (CIL), a nonprofit real estate developer focused on creating community-based housing for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), acquired brain injuries (ABI), and behavioral health needs, has secured a $45 million line of credit from KeyBank. This includes a $20 million expandable facility, enabling CIL to expand its operations across the continental United States—a significant step toward becoming a nationwide leader in housing solutions for people with disabilities.

With this financial support, CIL will invest in acquiring, renovating, and building residential properties in collaboration with nonprofit service organizations. Unlike the previous credit line, which restricted projects to certain areas, this new agreement removes those geographic barriers, giving CIL the flexibility to serve communities wherever demand is highest.

“We chose KeyBank intentionally because they understand the mission-driven nature of our work,” said Maria Green, CIL’s Chief Financial Officer. “Together with Webster Bank, Westfield Bank, and Rockland Trust, we now have partners who share our vision and are committed to helping us grow.”

CIL President and CEO Kent Schwendy emphasized the broader impact of the credit facility: “This isn’t just funding—it’s a tool that enables us to partner with organizations in any state ready to develop inclusive, community-based housing.”

KeyBank Market President Matthew Hummel echoed that commitment: “We’re proud to support CIL in providing affordable housing and supportive environments for individuals who need them most.”

Since its inception over 45 years ago, CIL has partnered with nonprofit service providers to create homes that promote independence and dignity for individuals requiring care. At the end of each lease term, CIL donates the property to the service provider—aligning long-term support with community empowerment.

The organization’s ability to operate nationally comes at a time when the disability services sector is grappling with challenges in staffing, funding, and housing availability.

“Our role is to manage the real estate side,” Schwendy said. “That way, providers can stay focused on delivering quality care.”