As I told NPR Morning Edition's Michel Martin today, "Most people who make a suicide attempt are any one of us. They're in a moment of crisis, laid off from a job or going through a bad breakup."¹

Five out of every 10 Pennsylvanians that die from gun violence are suicides. Most are in rural Pennsylvania such as the Poconos and Southwest PA's coal country.

It's a story rarely shared and told. That's why today's NPR story is so important – because recognizing a crisis is the first step to solving it. 

I encourage you to read or listen to this pressing piece, which I’ve linked in the footnote below, but what I really want to talk about is how we can address this crisis together. 

This is a project I’ve wanted to tackle for a long time, and honestly, we’ve fallen short of dedicating the appropriate resources to it. But now, we’ve got a plan to amend that. In the coming weeks, we will be hiring a Director of Firearm Suicide Prevention Policy, and we need your help fully funding this position. Will you contribute $5 to ensure we find a stellar candidate to fill this critical role?

This is an inaugural position, and the person who fills it will develop a sensitive and comprehensive approach to Pennsylvania’s ongoing gun suicide crisis. They will launch a coalition focused squarely on the intersection of firearm access and suicide, and work to change people's willingness to discuss this catastrophe in our midst. That’s how we build toward life-saving change.

This is a daunting task, and it’s going to take a formidable person to complete it. We are actively reviewing résumés and I have made filling this vital position a top fiscal priority. 

At this critical juncture, we must make sure we have the resources to hit the ground running with a qualified candidate leading the charge ASAP. We intend to leave no stone unturned in our search, but we need you to invest in this role as well. Will you give just  $5 to help us find our first-ever Director of Firearm Suicide Prevention Policy and address this ongoing catastrophe with the gravitas it demands?

Thank you for your help,

Adam Garber
Executive Director 
CeaseFirePA Action

PS – If you know anyone who would be perfect for this role, please encourage them to apply here.