At AFSP, our mission is to save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide. |
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This September, in recognition of National Suicide Prevention Month, we’re asking you to Walk With Us in the fight to stop suicide by finding an Out of the Darkness Community Walk in your area, or donate directly to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention to make possible our continued work. Funds raised by the Out of the Darkness Walks in areas across the country raise necessary funds for scientific research, advocacy efforts, education programs, and much more –– including care and support for those affected by this leading cause of death. |
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AFSP’s Loss & Healing programs help countless survivors of suicide loss heal from the pain of losing a loved one to suicide. Through our local chapters across the country, AFSP staff and volunteers forge warm connections with those who experience suicide loss firsthand. In an article from our Real Stories blog, beloved AFSP volunteer Bubba Randall –– who first found his way to AFSP by attending a Walk –– wrote about the experience of losing his son, and how he has found strength and meaning through his work with AFSP’s Healing Conversations program, which connects trained, longer-term survivors of suicide loss (at least two years or more) with those who are newly bereaved: |
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“One of the reasons I know the Healing Conversations program saves lives is that I see the young mother I visited that day from time to time in the grocery store. She tells me that if it hadn’t been for my coming and talking to her, she doesn’t think she would still be here.” |
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The Healing Conversations program is just one example of AFSP’s Loss & Healing efforts, which include International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day events held both virtually and in-person across the country each November, and the biennial Long-Term Survivors of Suicide Loss Summit, specially geared toward those whose loss occurred longer ago, allowing participants to explore how this unique type of grief evolves over time. |
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The Out of the Darkness Walks and our Loss & Healing programs are both ways we raise our culture’s understanding of suicide. You can also save the date for the following upcoming virtual events this September: |
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- September 4 at 4 pm ET — Elevating Voices for Long Lasting Change: Promoting Equity in Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Outreach
Tune in on AFSP’s Facebook and Youtube channels
Join us as AFSP Vice President for Health Equity and Engagement Victor (Vic) Armstrong, MSW, moderates a discussion with three leading CEOs –– AFSP CEO Bob Gebbia, President and CEO of Mental Health America Schroeder Stribling, MSW, and CEO of the National Alliance on Mental Illness Daniel H Gillison, Jr. –– about the importance of equity in the fields of mental health and suicide prevention.
- September 5 at 2 pm ET — Webinar on Suicide Prevention in the Construction Industry
Register today
AFSP Senior Vice President of Programs Trisha M. Calabrese, MPH, will participate in this panel on how employers can cultivate a culture of care in the workplace. The conversation will be moderated by Sonya Bohmann, Executive Director, Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention (CIASP); and will feature Amber Trueblood, DrPH, Data Center Director, Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR); Jessica Bunting, MPH, Research to Practice Director, CPWR; and Jamie Becker, LCSW-C, Director of Health Promotion, Laborers' Health & Safety Fund of North America.
- September 8 at 9 am ET — 988 Day
Learn more
AFSP and SAMHSA are encouraging the public to recognize September 8th as 988 Day — a nationwide initiative to raise awareness around the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Help us spread the message: “No Judgment. Just Help,” and use the hashtag #988Day.
- September 9 at 1 pm ET — Action Alliance #BeThere X (formally Twitter) Chat
AFSP’s Vic Armstrong will answer questions focused on connectedness, and the importance of communication and messaging on suicide prevention and mental health.
- September 10 at Noon ET — Congressional Briefing on Maternal Suicide
Register today
Join AFSP Senior Vice President of Research Dr. Jill Harkavy-Friedman and the Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health leaders to learn about the latest policy and research updates on maternal suicide. This virtual congressional briefing will feature experts and leaders in maternal mental health and suicide prevention.
- September 11 at 2 pm ET — Emergency Risk Protection Orders: An Effective Tool to Prevent Firearm Suicides
Register today
Join AFSP and the National ERPO Resource Center for a webinar to discuss the effectiveness of emergency risk protection orders (ERPOs) as a tool to prevent firearm suicides.
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Many other events will be taking place throughout the month. Check back for updated information throughout the month on AFSP’s event calendar. |
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National Suicide Prevention Month is the perfect time to Walk With Us in spirit, whether it’s by participating in an Out of the Darkness Walk in your community, spreading the word to others, getting involved in any of AFSP’s efforts, or by donating to the cause to keep our programs running. |
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American Foundation for Suicide Prevention 199 Water St. 11th Floor New York, NY 10038
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