July 2015 - Whitney's Walk for Life

Founded by the family and friends of Whitney Grotts, following her death by suicide in 2004, Whitney's Walk For Life was created to increase the awareness about the tragedy of teen suicide. Working with local survivors, schools and mental health advocates, Whitney's Walk For Life takes proactive steps for increasing depression awareness and suicide prevention programs in the Central Illinois area.

Our community has come together in order to better understand the most effective way to reduce the incidence of suicide. Since Whitney's Walk For Life began in 2004, over $917,000 has been raised for depression awareness and suicide prevention efforts. Numerous community organizations, local school districts, as well as thousands of individuals have walked, donated or sponsored these efforts.

Money from Whitney’s Walk for Life is donated to the Hult Center for Healthy Living which is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit. Hult combats suicide through community based education, awareness and advocacy programs. These include:

Signs of Suicide (S.O.S.) - Suicide Prevention Skills Training for Youth Hope Project– The project uses  local theater talent in one person/one act monologues which tell real life stories relating to mental illness. Mental Health Screening– Hult Center for Healthy Living offers an online mental health screening program.

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