September is National Suicide Prevention Month and this year the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) is underscoring looking out for each otherby encouraging the public to join one of the hundreds of community Out of the Darkness Walksstarting in September and going through the fall. Register here. Additional opportunities to learn and show support are taking place throughout the month.
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Walkers like the Burke family from Virginia, who lost their son who was a U S Navy submariner to suicide, participate in their Community Walk year after year. “It's almost like a family reunion every year,” Ray Burke said. “You have all these people coming from different walks of life… and you're all coming together with one common goal. You're there to provide comfort, love, and compassion to each other.”
The Community Walks give people across the country an opportunity to support AFSP and raise awareness of how the funds raised prevent suicide through: scientific research, public policy advocacy, loss and healing support, and education programs that increase the public's knowledge of how we can all play a role in looking out for each other. At these Walks, people make life-changing connections, honor loved ones lost to suicide, amplify the resilience of those with lived experience, and show support to each other and for programs that save lives.
Funds raised make a tangible impact, for example: $50 provides suicide prevention education materials to 25 people, $100 brings It's Real: Teens and Mental Health education program to a local high school, and $250 recruits and trains Volunteer Advocates to take action on public policy priorities that prevent suicide.
“Our mission of giving hope to those affected by suicide and saving lives comes to life by people showing up for each other and learning how to offer support,” said AFSP CEO Bob Gebbia. “One way to show support is to walk for suicide prevention, and we invite you to join an Out of the Darkness Community Walk near you. By coming together, we raise awareness and funds for suicide prevention, and we help save lives.”
Join a walk throughyour local chapter, take advantage of resources, and participate in educational events starting in September and beyond. Check our national calendar throughout the month for the most recent events.
AFSP also invites you to learn about and participate in Construction Suicide Prevention Week(September 8-12). Through Hard Hat Courage, a cross-construction industry initiative, AFSP is equipping construction companies and employees with suicide prevention program tools made for and designed with our partners in the construction industry to prevent suicide and help workplaces navigate loss. One learning opportunity offered is Talk Saves Lives: An Introduction to Suicide Prevention in the Construction Industry. This presentation covers the scope of this leading cause of death in the construction industry, what the research has found to be the warning signs and risk factors of suicide, and the strategies that prevent it. Sign up for a session here on September 9, 10, or 11.
Lastly, tune into the Audacy “I'm Listening” broadcast (September 9-15) on your local radio station. Hear AFSP CMO Dr. Christine Yu Moutier in conversation with Audacy's host Katie Neil as they discuss youth, maternal, and first responder mental health. Learn helpful information and tips that can help you better look out for each other this September and beyond.
The American Foundation for Suicide Preventionis dedicated to saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide, including those who have experienced aloss. AFSP creates a culture that's smart about mental health through public education and community programs, develops suicide prevention through research and advocacy, and provides support for those affected by suicide. Led by CEO Robert Gebbia and headquartered in New York, with its Policy and Advocacy Office in Washington, D.C., AFSP has local chapters in all 50 states, D.C., and Puerto Rico, with programs and events nationwide. Learn more about AFSP in its latestAnnual Reportand join the conversation on suicide prevention by following AFSP onFacebook, Twitter,Instagram,YouTube, LinkedIn and TikTok.
Media interested in speaking with AFSP on this news are encouraged to fill out thispress request formand reviewAFSP's Ethical Reporting Guidelines.
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SOURCE American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
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