AFSP Virginia Program Offerings
6 min read
Request a Program:
Thank you for your interest in learning more about the educational programs our chapter offers. Educational programs and presentations are available throughout the Virignia Chapter, which includes all of the Commonwelath of Virginia except for Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William and Arlington Counties and the City of Alexandria. For these locations, visit afsp.org/ncac.
To request a program from AFSP Virignia Chapter, please contact Markita Madden, Virginia Executive Director, at 540.718.2221 or [email protected]. There is no fee for program registration or delivery unless specifically noted.
Talk Saves Lives
About
Talk Saves Lives: An Introduction to Suicide Prevention is AFSP’s flagship suicide prevention education program that covers the scope of this leading cause of death, what the research has found to be the warning signs and risk factors of suicide, and the strategies that prevent it.
In 2024, this presentation was refreshed based on feedback from presenters, content experts, and people with lived experience, resulting in a more inclusive presentation and design with additional strategies and examples for how to have a conversation about suicide. The 45-60-minute presentation may be tailored for more targeted audiences in a variety of settings (e.g. LGBTQ+ communities, older adults, firearm owners, workplaces, etc.) and is available in-person and virtually.
Audience
Talk Saves Lives: An Introduction to Suicide Prevention is intended for the general public. The content is appropriate for those 18 or older and can be delivered virtually or in person.
Registration is free. Click below to register to attend:
Talk Saves Lives:
Monday, August 18, 2025, 6PM - Virtual
Friday, November 7, 2025, 12PM (Veteran Focus)
Saturday, November 29, 2025, 10AM - Virtual
Saturday, December 13, 2025, 10AM - Virtual
Talk Saves Lives for LGBTQ:
Additional dates coming soon, or available upon request.
Talk Saves Lives for Seniors:
Sunday, October 19, 2025, 6PM - Virtual
Caring Communities
About
Caring Communities: Guidance for Supporting Survivors of Suicide Loss is a one-hour presentation, available in-person or virtually, designed to provide participants with information, resources, and practical guidance on how to support someone who has experienced a recent loss to suicide.
Participants will:
- Understand suicide as a complex health issue
- Understand the impact of suicide on survivors of suicide loss
- Learn practical ways to support suicide loss survivors in various settings
- Become familiar with available resources for suicide loss survivors
AFSP is committed to inclusivity by ensuring programs are developed by and with diverse communities, fostering compassionate and informed care for all survivors of suicide loss. This program was developed by the AFSP National Loss & Healing Council, a team of dedicated AFSP volunteer leaders who have experienced suicide loss.
"When my coworker lost her husband to suicide, I didn't know what to do or say. Caring Communities gave me the resources and tools to be able to have a conversation about her loved one and provide support in a way that was meaningful to her." – Caring Communities program participant
Audience: The program is suitable for workplaces and community groups who want to learn how to build more supportive environments for survivors of suicide loss.
Caring Communities:
Additional dates coming soon, or available upon request.
Talk Saves Lives - Latinx & Hispanic Communities
About
Talk Saves Lives: An Introduction to Suicide Prevention for Latinx and Hispanic Communities is a community presentation that covers what we know about this leading cause of death, the most up-to-date research on prevention, and the strategies that can help save lives.
Following this presentation, participants should be able to:
1. Describe the scope of the problem of suicide within Latinx and Hispanic Communities
2. Describe suicide risk and protective factors specific to Latinx and Hispanic Communities
3. Describe warning signs of suicide
4. Explain how to get help for yourself or someone in a suicidal crisis
5. Explain how to seek and offer support for yourself or others
Audience
The content is appropriate for those 18 or older and can be delivered virtually or in person. This program is available for delivery in English or Spanish.
Registration is free. Click below to register to attend:
Thursday, September 4, 2025, 6PM - Virtual, English
L.E.T.S. Saves Lives
About
L.E.T.S. (listening, empathy, trust, support) Save Lives: An Introduction to Suicide Prevention for the Black Community is a presentation that covers what we know about mental health and suicide, the most up-to-date research on prevention, and what we can all do to help save lives.
Following this presentation, participants should be able to:
- Understand the scope of suicide among the Black and African American population.
- Understand the racial and systemic factors that impact suicide in Black and African American communities.
- Describe suicide risk and protective factors for Black and African American communities.
- Describe warning signs of suicide.
- Learn how to get help for someone in a suicidal crisis.
- Gain confidence in talking to someone about suicide.
Audience
L.E.T.S. Saves Lives: An Introduction to Suicide Prevention for the Black Community is appropriate for those 18 or older and is delivered in person and virtually.
Free to attend. Click below for information:
Wednesday, October 8, 2025, 12PM - Virtual
Finding Hope
About
When someone in your life attempts suicide or struggles with suicidal thoughts, it can be difficult to know how to best support them in their recovery. Whether you are a family member, close friend, co-worker, neighbor, or other caring person of someone with lived experience, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention wants to help you understand and navigate this process.
Audience
This program is intended for those who care about and are supporting another person with lived experience (i.e. someone who has made a suicide attempt, struggles with suicidal thoughts currently or in the past, or both). While the program may benefit those with lived experience of suicide themselves, the content is focusing on providing support to others. AFSP understands that attendees interested in learning to best support those they care about may also have their own lived experience.
Registration is free. Click below to register to attend:
Tuesday, September 23, 2025, 7PM - Virtual
Monday, December 8, 2025, 7PM - Virtual
LivingWorks safeTALK & ASIST
LivingWorks safeTALK is an in-person half-day presentation by a LivingWorks trainer, in which participants learn how to prevent suicide by recognizing signs, engaging someone, and connecting them to an intervention resource for further support. LivingWorks safeTALK is intended for the general public. The content is appropriate for those 15 or older.
LivingWorks ASIST is an in-person 2-day workshop in which participants will learn how to prevent suicide by recognizing signs; provide a skilled intervention; and develop a safety plan to keep someone alive. ASIST should be conducted with a maximum of 40 participants, and a minimum of 10. All participants must be 18 years of age to attend.
safeTALK and ASIST are designed by LivingWorks and are offered by AFSP as a partner program.
Upcoming Sessions:
Sessions coming soon!
More Than Sad for Parents
About
More Than Sad for Parents program teaches parents how to recognize signs of depression and other mental health problems, initiate a conversation about mental health with their child, and get help.
Audience
This program focuses on parents and guardians of teen youth.
Registration is free. Click below to register to attend:
Additional sessions coming soon, or available upon request.
It's Real: Teens & Mental Health
About
It’s Real: Teens and Mental Health is an approximately 45 minute presentation which provides youth with general mental health information and resources. The presentation defines mental health and includes guidance on starting a conversation about mental health and engaging in self-care. The program includes a presentation and takeaway materials.
Audience
It’s Real: Teens and Mental Health is meant to be presented to high school students. The content is
appropriate for those 14 or older.
Available upon request.
It's Real: College Students & Mental Health
About
It’s Real: College Students and Mental Health is an approximately 60-90 minute program which teaches participants to recognize the signs of depression in themselves and others, challenges existing stigma surrounding depression, and demystifies the treatment process. This program focuses on collegebound seniors and college students. The program includes a 17-minute film that follows the journey of six students who wrestled with mental health concerns, sought treatment, made their
psychological well-being a top priority, and found their own new sense of balance.
Audience
It’s Real: College Students and Mental Health is meant to be presented to college bound seniors and college students either in person or virtually. The content is appropriate for those 16 or older, and has information specific to undergraduate students.
Available upon request.
International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day
Saturday, November 22, 2025
About
International Survivors of Suicide Loss (ISOSL) Day is an event in which survivors of suicide loss come together to find connection, understanding, and hope through their shared experience. This year, International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day is Saturday, November 23, 2024.
Audience
ISOSL Day events are meant for individuals who have lost someone to suicide (suicide loss survivors). Many events also welcome non-survivors who want to attend to support someone who has experienced a loss. Details for each local event are available upon registration.
A list of Virginia Chapter sites and registration links will be available in October 2025.