AI lawsuit over teen’s death prompts suicide awareness
BELLEVILLE, Ill. - Chris Allard formed The Tenth Man Foundation soon after his brother died by suicide in 2018.
Jon Allard was a prosecutor with the St. Clair County State’s Attorney’s office in Belleville.
“When the legal team had consensus that they were going to try a case a particular way, they would literally turn to my brother and say, Hey, tenth man, can you poke holes in our case?” Allard recalls. “I think he would be proud of the work that we’re doing in his name.”
Allard also serves as a board member for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, which hosts annual Out of the Darkness Walks to raise funds and awareness.
Allard is the chair for this year’s Out of the Darkness Walks in Belleville on Oct. 18. A similar walk takes place in St. Louis on Sept. 28.
988 is the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline for anyone with a mental health need. Allard also encourages community members to check on anyone showing signs they are struggling.
“It’s important to have that conversation,” he said. “You can even be more direct and say, ‘Are you thinking of suicide?’”
Some parents have raised concerns about AI following the death of a California teen. The parents of Adam Raine, 16, are suing after they allege an AI chat led their son to his death.
