The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention And Its Mission
94% of adults surveyed in the U.S. think suicide can be prevented, according to The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. And the organization is working to make that a reality.
Founded in 1987, AFSP’s mission is to save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide. Established by a small group of caring individuals who had lost someone to suicide, AFSP was the first national not-for-profit organization dedicated to understanding and preventing suicide through research, education, and advocacy. Today, AFSP has local chapters in all 50 states, Washington, DC, and Puerto Rico, with programming and support for individuals, families, and communities impacted by suicide.
AFSP educational campaigns encourage talk and communication about suicide, helping you start the conversation with someone who’s struggling. The campaigns also teach your community about risk and prevention.
AFSP has actively engaged and funded members of the scientific and clinical communities conducting groundbreaking research on suicide and its prevention. AFSP representatives press for legislation and policies that advance suicide prevention at the federal, state and local levels, advocating for better mental health care and fighting for the national mental health and suicide prevention emergency line, 988.
AFSP is there for everyone affected by suicide – those who struggle, those who have survived an attempt and the family and friends left behind after a death by suicide.
“Being a loss survivor is a club nobody wishes to join,” says Sonya B., who lost her sister to suicide 16 years ago. “For the longest time we did not talk about it as a family. We grieved silently, because of the stigma around suicide and suicide loss.”
Sonya found a new purpose in life after her sister’s death. “I was connected with AFSP right before one of their State Capital Advocacy Days. My first event was going to Harrisburg to talk to our local legislators about bills that were introduced around mental health and suicide prevention. It was an amazing experience and gave me a chance to feel an immediate impact.”
Today, she is the Board Chair of her local Chapter. “Funny how the universe puts people in your path for a reason and at the right time.”
You can get involved in the work and mission of AFSP! Supporting AFSP can be as easy as learning the warning signs and learning what to do if a friend or family member is struggling. Their advise that you should assume that you are the only person who will reach out, and then begin a conversation. Don’t know what to say? AFSP can help guide you through the opening question to a resolution.
As part of their education initiative, AFSP offers research-based educational materials and programming that are suitable for all ages and in multiple languages.
If you are an educator, “Signs Matter” can inform you on the most common behavioral presentations expressed by at-risk youth, and it offers best practice recommendations from experts in the mental health and education fields. For youth, “More Than Sad” has taught over a million students and educators how to be smarter about mental health.
For community or faith leaders, AFSP’s flagship suicide prevention education program “Talk Saves Lives: An Introduction to Suicide Prevention” covers the warning signs and risk factors of suicide and the strategies that prevent it. This 45-60-minute presentation is available in-person and virtually and can be tailored for the different communities, LGBTQ+, older adults, firearm owners and workplace.
“Listening,” “empathy,” “trust” and “support’ form the basis for “L.E.T.S. Save Lives: An Introduction to Suicide Prevention for the Black Community.” Designed to raise awareness of suicide prevention for individuals who identify as Black or African American, L.E.T.S. discusses racial and systemic factors, as well as ways to identify suicide risk and recognize warning signs of suicide.
These AFSP programs will help you gain confidence in talking to someone in suicidal distress and how to connect someone with help. Because feelings of fear, embarrassment, and professional repercussions will often prevent an individual from seeking help, AFSP also offers the Interactive Screening Program (ISP), which allows you to connect with a counselor anonymously. Widely adopted by colleges and professional degree programs, law enforcement agencies, and Employee Assistance Programs, ISP participants complete a brief screening questionnaire that asks about stress, depression, and other mental health conditions to receive a personal response from a dedicated program counselor staffed by the organization implementing the Interactive Screening Program.
For many of us, our first introduction to AFSP is through an “Out of the Darkness” Walk. Sonya was surprised by her first walk experience. “My expectation was that everyone would be sad, and there would be a heavy blanket of grief in the air…” she remembers. “What I got was so completely different than that. I was in awe of this collection of people all in one place for a common purpose. Total strangers coming together, to honor those we have lost, and more importantly, heal.”
Through their national Community, Campus and Overnight Walks AFSP raises much-needed funds and awareness, sending the message that suicide can be prevented, and that no one is alone. Community Walks bring together friends, family, and supporters in more than 400 communities nationwide, while Campus Walks engage young adults in their mission and promote their youth programming at colleges and high schools across the country. For their signature Overnight Walk, thousands gather once a year in rotating cities to walk over 16 miles from dusk till dawn, truly out of the darkness.
For Sonya, her local Out of the Darkness walk is all about hope. “Being surrounded by 3000 people who all share the same mission is empowering. You might come to the walk by yourself but you are never alone. Groups join forces and friendships are created. Yes, tears are shed, but bonds are formed, hearts are healed, and resolve is strengthened.”
AFSP walks and other events are held in communities across the country throughout the year by local chapters, who also offer programming and speakers. Find your nearest chapter at AFSP.org.
