AFSP Western Pennsylvania
The Western PA Chapter serves 25 counties in the western part of the commonwealth, and is fueled by the efforts of our volunteers to Save Lives and Bring Hope to Those Affected by Suicide.
About the AFSP Western Pennsylvania Chapter
The Western PA Chapter serves 25 counties in the western part of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and is fueled by the efforts of our volunteers to help Save Lives and Bring Hope to Those Affected by Suicide. The counties we cover include:
Allegheny | Armstrong | Beaver | Bedford | Butler | Cambria | Cameron | Clarion | Clearfield | Crawford | Elk | Erie | Fayette | Forest | Greene | Indiana | Jefferson | Lawrence | McKean | Mercer | Somerset | Venango | Warren | Washington | Westmoreland
The grassroots work we do focuses on eliminating the loss of life from suicide by delivering innovative prevention programs which educate the public about risk factors and warning signs, raising funds for suicide prevention research, advocating for change in public policy to support mental health initiatives, and supporting those individuals who have lost someone to suicide.
Learn more about AFSP by clicking the link below.
https://afsp.org/about-afsp/
Chapter contact
Suzie Cook Area Director for Western Pennsylvania
[email protected]
Doug Bishop Board Chair for the Western PA Chapter
[email protected]
412-260-4249
Upcoming events and activities
Featured Programs
More Than Sad
More than Sad provides suicide prevention education to families and schools who support teenagers, teaching adults to recognize warning signs in teens, start a conversation, and get them help.
It’s Real
It’s Real: College Students and Mental Health is a documentary featuring the stories of six college students from across the country, with an accompanying facilitator guide to support its use in educational programming.
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.
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
AFSP supports increases in federal and state funding for the 988 crisis response system, including the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and its network of independently operated state and local crisis centers.
Our Impact
By collecting and leveraging data in strategic and thoughtful ways, we are able to measure the impact of our efforts in communities across the country.
Advocacy Resources
Find resources to help new and seasoned advocates become more familiar with AFSP’s Public Policy Priorities and ways to make a difference as a volunteer Field Advocate with AFSP.
Suicide loss resources
Find resources for suicide prevention for you or someone you know. We also provide additional resources supporting diverse communities, the LGBTQ community, and the military as well. General resources are also available.
Healing Conversations:
Personal Support for Survivors of Suicide Loss
Healing Conversations gives survivors of suicide loss the opportunity to speak with volunteers, who are themselves loss survivors.
International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day
Each year, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention supports hundreds of large and small events around the world, in which survivors of suicide loss come together to find connection, understanding, and hope through their shared experience.
Suicide prevention resources
Find resources for suicide prevention for your or someone you know.
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.
Suicide prevention research
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention supports strategic investments in suicide prevention, education, and research to help lower the rate of suicide.
Military and Veteran suicide prevention
AFSP supports legislation that prioritizes suicide prevention for Veterans, Service members, and their families.
Understanding Firearms and Suicide Prevention
Firearms are involved in over 50% of all suicides in the U.S., and AFSP is leading the effort to educate firearm owners to prevent this leading cause of death. Suicide also accounts for most firearm deaths in the U.S.
LGBTQ+ mental health and suicide prevention
AFSP is dedicated to preventing suicide among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) people. As a public health organization, AFSP believes that it is our individual and collective responsibility to support the mental health and wellbeing of LGBTQ people.
Join the AFSP Western Pennsylvania Chapter
Stories and updates
Western PA #OOTD Walks
Western PA Out of the Darkness 2026 Scheudle
Meet the Western Pennsylvania Board of Directors
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is dedicated to saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide.
Partner/Sponsor Out of the Darkness Walks
The fight against suicide can make you a hero. It is more important than ever to support mental health, and we invite you to join our movement to prevent suicide. By partnering with you, the Western PA will be able to reach and serve more people through our life saving programs and resources.
Connections with AFSP Western Pennsylvania
Want to find out more about getting involved with AFSP Western PA? Here are resources about presentations, sponsorship opportunities, and volunteering!
Western Pennsylvania Chapter Volunteer Opportunities
Learn more about how you can volunteer with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Western PA Chapter
Robyn Shares her Journey to AFSP
WPA Board Member shares her story on how she came to AFSP to bring hope and save lives
East Central Division Programs
Explore all of the programs that the East Central Division of AFSP has to offer! Request a program today!