AFSP National Capital Area
The AFSP National Capital Area Chapter serves the Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C. areas.
About the AFSP National Capital Area Chapter
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's (AFSP) mission is to save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide. With a nationwide presence, we lead the fight to stop suicide through research, education and community programs, advocacy, and support for those impacted by suicide. The National Capital Area Chapter (NCAC) serves Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C., working to create a culture in our community that is smart about mental health.
We here at the AFSP-NCAC are at the forefront of suicide prevention. As a voluntary organization, our grassroots efforts engage families, mental health professionals, community and local business leaders, school administrators, and others interested in supporting our mission. Funds raised support our lifesaving work.
Please join us in the fight to stop suicide and give the gift of hope by volunteering, registering for an event or program, advocating, donating, sponsoring, or sharing about our organization!
Today, support for mental health is needed more than ever before, and we are asking you to join us in the fight to stop suicide.
The 2025 National Capital Area Out of the Darkness Community Walks, presented by Leidos, give people the courage to open up about their own struggle or loss, and the platform to change our culture’s approach to mental health.
Save the Dates for Our 2026 Walks websites launch January 2026
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9/5 Prince William @ TBD
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9/19 Loudoun @ One Loudoun
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10/3 Fairfax @ Mosaic District
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10/17 Washington, D.C. @ The Lincoln Memorial
Chapter contact
Ellen Shannon Executive Director
[email protected]
Kristin Black Fundraising Manager
[email protected]
AFSP does not provide crisis response services. If you or someone you know is in crisis or needs immediate support, please contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.
988lifeline.org
Dial 988
Upcoming events and activities
Featured Programs
Get help
Find support for yourself or those who may be at risk for suicide
I've lost someone
You are not alone. Suicide affects millions each year, and thanks to our donors and volunteers—many of whom are loss survivors themselves—we can provide these resources to help you heal.
Talk Saves Lives™
Talk Saves Lives: An Introduction to Suicide Prevention is a community-based presentation that covers the general scope of suicide, the research on prevention, and what people can do to help save lives.
L.E.T.S. Save Lives: An Introduction to Suicide Prevention for Black and African American Communities
L.E.T.S. Save Lives: An Introduction to Suicide Prevention for the Black Community is a presentation designed to reduce cultural stigma, foster conversations about mental health, and raise awareness of suicide prevention for individuals who identify as Black or African American.
It’s Real
It’s Real is a documentary featuring the stories of six college students from across the country.
Confronting Suicide in the Construction Industry
Bechtel and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention partner to prevent construction worker suicides.
Preventing Suicide in Military Communities
Depression, PTSD, Bipolar, substance use disorder: these and other mental health conditions are serious illnesses, and are serious illnesses that warrant support and treatment. No combat necessary: more than half of military suicides involve soldiers who have never been deployed.
Preventing suicide in LGBTQ communities
AFSP is focused on sharing and expanding suicide prevention strategies, programs, research initiatives, and public policies to prevent suicide in LGBTQ communities and supporting the mental health and wellbeing of LGBTQ people.
Ethical reporting guidelines for media
Join the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) in pledging to cover suicide-related deaths through safe reporting practices to protect those who are most vulnerable, respect surviving families, and save lives.
Join the AFSP National Capital Area Chapter
Stories and updates
National Capital Area Community Walks Fight Suicide: Register Today!
Join the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention in the fight to stop suicide. Register today for an Out of the Darkness Community Walk near you!
National Capital Area Chapter Honored With Four 2025 AFSP Chapter Leadership Awards
Thanks to our dedicated supporters, the National Capital Area Chapter is honored to be recognized with the following 2025 AFSP Chapter Leadership Awards: Outstanding Survivors of Suicide Loss Day, Outstanding Chapter Public Relations, #5 Top Fundraising Walk: Washington, D.C., Century Club Walk: Fairfax, VA.
Volunteering with AFSP-NCAC!
When you volunteer with AFSP-NCAC, you join thousands who share your passion for saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide. Learn more about how to get involved, and become a critical part of our mission.
Local Resources for Seeking Help / Encontrar Ayuda
Learn more about local suicide prevention resources for those struggling and looking for mental health support in the national capital area.
Local Resources for Loss Survivors in the National Capital Area
View information about local resources for those who have been affected by suicide loss living in the National Capital Area (Washington, D.C. metro area and Northern Virginia).
Meet the AFSP National Capital Area Chapter Leadership
Meet the AFSP NCAC Board of Directors, striving toward a world without suicide one step at a time right here in the National Capital Area!
AFSP George Washington University Student Group
Learn more about the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) student chapter at The George Washington University, and how to get involved! Our mission is to save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide. Together we believe we can create a GW culture that is smart about mental health.
AFSP National Capital Newsletters
Check out everything that's been happening and is on the horizon for the AFSP National Capital Area Chapter!
2025 AFSP National Capital Area Leading Lifesavers
The AFSP National Capital Area Chapter is grateful for all of our volunteers, fundraising-event participants and teams, donors, and sponsors who support our mission to save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide. Here, we recognize the outstanding contributions of our 2025 Leading Lifesavers Club members.
Leidos + AFSP: Collaborating to Create a Culture That's Smart About Mental Health
Since 2018, Leidos has worked with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's National Capital Area Chapter in support of our mission to save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide. Over the years, their engagement with the AFSP has grown from its beginnings in the D.C. Area to an international level.
Powering Hope: Pepco & IBEW Local 1900’s Commitment to Mental Health
Pepco and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local Union 1900 took a leading role in the 2024 Washington, D.C. Out of the Darkness Walk, an event organized by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) National Capital Area Chapter (NCAC).
Judah & The Lion Kick Off the 2024 D.C. Out of the Darkness Walk Season!
On July 26, DC101 and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's (AFSP) National Capital Area Chapter (NCAC) joined together to host a kickoff party, featuring Judah & The Lion, to celebrate the 2024 Washington D.C. Out of the Darkness Walk season!
Recap: 2024 Paws for Prevention
On May 18th, during Mental Health Awareness Month, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's (AFSP) National Capital Area Chapter (NCAC) hosted its second annual Paws for Prevention fundraising event in Alexandria, Virginia...
Recap: 2024 Lifesavers Appreciation Celebration
On the evening of April 18th, during Volunteer Appreciation Month, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's (AFSP) National Capital Area Chapter (NCAC) hosted its second-annual Lifesavers Appreciation Celebration at the beautiful Pepco Edison Place Gallery...
Recap: 2024 Virginia & Washington, D.C. Advocacy Days
The AFSP National Capital Area Chapter thanks everyone who joined us for our 2024 VA State Capitol and Washington, DC Advocacy Days. Amazing volunteers from NoVA and DC shared their stories with legislators and advocated for numerous public policy initiatives to prevent suicide and improve access to mental health care.
Leidos: Leading the Way in the Fight to Stop Suicide
Leidos, an innovation company rapidly addressing the world’s most vexing challenges, has prioritized taking a leadership role addressing the various challenges surrounding mental health. Since 2018, Leidos has worked with the AFSP in support of its mission to save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide.
Powering Hope: Pepco & IBEW Local 1900 Energizing Suicide Prevention in 2023 and Beyond!
In 2023, Pepco and IBEW Local 1900, came together for the Washington, D.C. Out of the Darkness Walk in support of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s mission to save lives and bring hope those affected by suicide.
National Capital Area Chapter Celebrates Four AFSP National Awards
Thanks to our dedicated volunteers and supporters, the AFSP National Capital Area Chapter is honored to be recognized with the following 2024 AFSP National Awards: Chapter of the Year: Large Market, Outstanding, Chapter Public Relations, #7 Top Fundraising Walk: Washington, D.C., Century Club Walk: Fairfax, VA!
Recap: 2023 National Capital Area Out of the Darkness Community Walks
Throughout September & October 2023, we walked in Manassas & Prince William, Loudoun, Fairfax, & Washington, DC to bring suicide Out of the Darkness & create a culture that is smart about mental health. Together, these community events hosted more than 3,000 participants & raised nearly $700,000 to fight suicide!