Last week, on September 10, World Suicide Prevention Day, AFSP brought together experts, advocates, celebrities, and artists together on our national Facebook page, @afspnational, for the #StopSuicide: A World Suicide Prevention Day Livestream. The event was a resounding success, initiating important conversations, raising awareness, and letting people in communities everywhere know that no matter what their connection to the cause, they never have to be alone. It is our hope that by watching and listening to these important conversations – about suicide prevention research, youth education and Communities of Color, the critical need of advocacy for policy priorities such as funding for the 988 crisis response system, and the important role that music, art and self-care play in creating a culture that’s smart about mental health – we brought needed attention to how we must all do our part in looking out for each other, and preventing this leading cause of death.

We want to thank our partners, contributors, volunteers – all those who participated in our panels, and who helped spread the word through their networks, contacts, and social media channels – for making this first-of-its-kind event possible. We also wish to thank those who tuned in, and those who were moved to contribute toward our important work. Thanks to you, the impact of your engagement and support will go far, with an event audience of 175,000 and proceeds raised of $38,000. Because of you, we have the help needed to continue our important work.

Thanks to your support in this event, we have demonstrated – just as our campaign mantra states – that “Together, we can help #StopSuicide.”