What is the significance of National Suicide Prevention Week?
National Suicide Prevention Week gives organizations from across the Nation the chance to partner together to elevate our collective voices. Together we can inform and engage our communities about suicide prevention and ensure that everyone has access to the resources they need so they can learn the warnings signs and how to seek help for ourselves or for somebody we are concerned about.
How did you get involved with the organization?
I became a Suicide Loss Survivor in 2000 when I lost my Brother Nick, he was just 21. At that time, stigma was still the lens in which suicide was viewed through and support and resources were very much lacking. I learned a lot on my own healing journey, so it became important to me that others know that even though they do feel alone after a loss, they most certainly are not.
Additionally, I felt that we as a society MUST do better in destigmatizing mental health and replacing silence with honest conversations. Just as we are taught the signs to look for in somebody having a physical health crisis and how to respond, we should also be teaching the signs of someone having a mental health crisis and how to respond. I have been a Volunteer with AFSP for 6 years now and this September it will be my 13th Out of the Darkness Walk. While my State has changed, the need for raising awareness and prevention efforts have not.
Tell us about the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention:
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) is a National non-profit with Chapters in all 50 states. Most Chapters only have 1 paid staff member for the entire State, so AFSP is really fueled by a desire for change through dedicated and passionate Volunteers. These Volunteers work year round to help carrying out the Mission of AFSP which is to save lives and bring hope to those affected by Suicide.
We carry out this mission through a variety of ways. AFSP offers multiples educational training programs such as Talk Saves Lives, It’s Real programs and More Than Sad. These programs are delivered to local business, community groups, Faith groups, high schools etc. and help our Communities learn the signs and resources available to them.
We also offer support resources for Loss Survivors, (those who have lost someone to Suicide) through our Healing Conversations program, our International Survivor Of Suicide Loss Day held in November (ISOSLD) and assistance with helping Survivors find support groups/connections in their area.
AFSP is dedicated to making change at Local, State and National levels through our Advocacy efforts. Field Advocates are speaking out for suicide prevention and mental health at all levels of government to pass suicide prevention policies that will save lives.
Research is also a high priority area for AFSP and through their research grants, AFSP helps to support studies that will increase our understanding of suicide or test treatments and other interventions that save lives.
Lastly, but just as importantly, most people find us through one of our Out of the Darkness Walks which take place in cities nationwide! The Walk is a journey of remembrance, hope, and support. It helps unite our communities and provides an opportunity to acknowledge the ways in which suicide and mental health conditions have affected our lives and the lives of those throughout our Communities’. For many people the Walk is their first time sharing their story and being in a space with others who understand what they are going through.
