Community outreach event seeks to “Light the Night” to raise awareness

As she sat at the funeral of her friend’s 32-year old son a few months ago, Pam Oliver knew that she had to do something. The young man had committed suicide, leaving a devastated family with questions.

“I needed to do something to make a difference,“ Oliver said. “I want people to know it's okay to say 'I’m not okay.'.”

Oliver, a longtime resident of the south suburbs and an assignment editor at NBC Ch.5 Chicago, was no stranger to tragedy and the stresses that life can bring.

The Oliver’s 31-year-old daughter Kristin bravely fought a rare heart cancer for two years and passed in 2020.

The family started an annual blood drive and a charitable foundation in Kristin’s honor in 2021. Last year, Pam Oliver recovered from lung cancer which was detected through a heart scan.

Oliver said that Kristin was always concerned about the mental and physical health of others,
even throughout her own health struggles. As a teen, Kristin lost a friend to suicide.

The Oliver’s home was always open to their children’s friends who needed to step away to find place of peace and comfort through difficult times.

“Today, with so many struggling with the stresses and loss brought on by the pandemic, we hope to reach members of our community who may be suffering in silence,” Oliver said.

In her capacity as assignment editor at NBC, Oliver said she sees the impact of mental illness in the news everyday - from domestic or mental health calls - that end with the police shooting someone, to recent stories such as an Oak Forest man killing his family and then himself, or a woman allegedly throwing her three-year-old nephew into Lake Michigan.

Oliver said she was particularly disturbed by the increasing number of suicides among young people, often brought on by depression, social media and situations such as bullying.

“We want to help parents identify possible warning signs and know where to go for help,” Oliver said.

The “Light the Night” event will feature mini-workshops addressing suicide prevention and creative ways to manage stress. There will also be information about mental health resources available within the south suburban community.

“Light the Night” is scheduled for Saturday October 8, 2022, 5-8 p.m. at Sergeant Means Park, 20712 Western Ave., Olympia Fields, Illinois.

One of the event participants, Lindsay Downs of Downs Fitness, will share her story of being a
victim of domestic violence who suffered from depression and anxiety. She found healing in physical fitness and now helps others through her holistic approach to health and well-being.

There will also be testimonies from people who have fought their battle with depression through therapy.

At dusk, a candlelight vigil will be held to remember those who have lost their battle with depression but also to encourage people to be the light for individuals who need support.

“We want people to be the light in somebody else’s life,” Oliver said.