ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) – Every day about four people complete suicide in Illinois, according to the CDC. Thursday, the 4th annual “Building Bridges to Understanding” event in downtown Rockford is designed to help people discuss feelings and talk about grief.
Dozens of mental health resources within the community connected with anyone at the event. One of the panelists says it’s okay to say: “you’re not ok.” Organizers say this isn’t a lecture but a place to have tell stories and grow. The event, planned in collaboration with Winnebago County Community Mental Health Board, is funded through a half-cent sales tax, approved by voters.
“I think there’s been a lot of advocates for a really long time doing work and it’s really showing that every year it gets a little bit better and easier to talk about certain disorders or mental health challenges,” Danielle Angileri, Northern Illinois National Alliance on Mental Illness executive director said.
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