Spotlight on Chapter Volunteers
4 min read
Our Volunteers are the Heart of our Chapter!
Jamie Zelazny is an Assistant Professor of Nursing and Psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of Public Health in Psychiatric Epidemiology and a PhD in Nursing, all from the University of Pittsburgh. When she was 12 years old, she lost a beloved family member to suicide. That loss shaped the trajectory of her nursing career. She has over 35 years of experience in pediatric psychiatric mental health nursing and youth suicide prevention research. Along with her students at Pitt, she organized the first Out of the Darkness Campus Walk at the University of Pittsburgh, which will be an annual event. She is passionate about mental health awareness and is dedicated to providing suicide prevention education to the community. Jamie is very excited about her role in the education committee where she will continue to present, as well as train volunteers to present AFSP’s educational programming to the community. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, backpacking, camping and spending time with her family.
Nadine Engel lost both her father and oldest brother to suicide. When she was finally able to tell her story, she wanted to help those who suffered from suicide loss and found the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. In 2015, she attended a volunteer meeting and the warm welcome she received urged her to attend the next meeting and before she knew it ... in her own words, "I was training to present the various suicide prevention educational programs AFSP offered. I and several other volunteers present for numerous primary schools, college campuses, hospitals, companies, and community organizations throughout the Western Pennsylvania region."
She is also the Healing Conversations Coordinator for the chapter, which is designed to aid those who have lost a loved one to suicide by having a conversation with someone who understands and validates all the feelings associated with suicide loss.
Nadine said it best, "I am grateful for the volunteers who stand alongside me in our efforts towards preventing suicide, and I am extremely hopeful for those who reach out to us for empathy, support and yes...love."
Mike Stankovich was born and raised on Pittsburgh's North Side, then ventured off to California University of Pennsylvania to double major in Journalism and Creative Writing. Per Mike - "Once the attacks of 9/11 occurred, I felt called to serve and enlisted in the United States Army as a Military Policeman. Almost 24 years later, I retired from active duty as a Chief Warrant Officer Four - Criminal Investigation Division Special Agent. Along the way, I married my beautiful wife and had two amazing kids and snuck in a deployment to Iraq, as well. Now, I have a full-time job with UPMC, and AFSP has provided me with a platform where I can still serve and keep people safe."
Wearing a pin with her husband’s name on it and beads around her neck signifying her loss gave her a way to honor him while also helping herself heal. Over the next two years, she volunteered at the bead station, interacting with others who were struggling or grieving the loss of a loved one. This year, Amy decided to step in and do more and is now helping support the planning and preparation leading up to the walk.
Amy is also the COO of a local nonprofit, a yoga instructor, and a soon-to-be-published author of a memoir about her life with her husband and their journey with mental health. Shedding the stigma surrounding mental illness and suicide through speaking and writing about it is her life’s work. She wants to do what she can to help others feel less alone.
Lily Baumgardner is a student at Baldwin High School who joined the planning committee after volunteering at the Remembrance Beads table during the 2025 Out of the Darkness Walk. The experience inspired her to become more involved in supporting suicide prevention and mental health awareness.
After losing her father to suicide at the age of nine, Lily has been passionate about serving her community and creating positive change. Through advocacy and leadership, she hopes to help others feel supported. She is honored to be part of the Out of the Darkness Walk and its mission of bringing community to those affected by suicide.
