AFSP is building a community of creators dedicated to mental health awareness and suicide prevention
About the Program
The Lifesaver Ambassadors program is an influencer-led collective that has been established to drive ongoing storytelling to amplify mental health and suicide prevention messaging, raise awareness about the warning signs of suicide, and encourage people to talk openly about suicide, emphasizing the critical role that these important conversations play in suicide prevention.
How Ambassadors Support Our Mission
AFSP aims to create a culture that is smart about mental health through education and community programs, advances suicide prevention through research and advocacy, and provides support for those affected by suicide. By building an online community, our Lifesaver Ambassadors will support ongoing storytelling, amplification of mental health messaging and demonstrate how to openly have Talk Away the Dark conversations. The topic of suicide has been kept in the shadows for far too long and it is time to bring those conversations into the light so we can listen, help and save lives.
Talk Away the Dark PSA
Talk Away the Dark
Become a Lifesaver Ambassador
By becoming a Lifesaver Ambassador, you will join an elite community of content creators who are all leaders in the mental health and wellness space while receiving additional benefits, training sessions, networking and development opportunities and more!
Contact us at [email protected] to learn more about the program.
Meet the 2024-2025 Lifesaver Ambassadors
Tefi Pessoa
Estefanía Vanegas Pessoa, more popularly known as “Tefi,” is trailblazing a new path in the worlds of media and pop culture, bringing her laugh-out-loud wittiness, energetic personality, infectious charisma and even vulnerable life experiences and wisdom to every setting she is in. From starring in leading national fashion and beauty campaigns, to helming multiple digital series, making her mark on international red carpets, and creating her beloved series of expert pop-culture deep dives, Tefi continues to prove her status as one of today’s most sought-after, breakout multihyphenate entertainers.
Named by Rolling Stone as one of “The 20 Most Influential Creators Right Now,” Tefi has successfully mastered the art of comedy through her extensive on-air work while also sharing positive messages of activism, spreading kindness, advocating for mental health, and promoting the art of confidence. She is widely recognized as a force in the digital space with her natural ability to connect on a deeper level with her audience through laughter as she transforms the latest Hollywood happenings into fun and engaging storytelling with the perfect recipe of humor, honesty, and real-life advice.
Charlie Amáyá Scott
A Diné scholar born and raised within the Navajo Nation, Charlie Amáyá Scott (they / her) is dedicated to inspiring joy and justice. Their scholarship and writings are imbued with a desire for a more just and liberating education that supports and cultivates the next generation of Queer, Trans, and Indigenous brilliance. In addition, Charlie reflects, analyzes, and celebrates what it means to be Diné, Queer, and Trans in the 21st century on her personal blog, dineaesthetics.com, and celebrates her entirety on Instagram and TikTok at @dineaesthetics.
Michell Clark
Michell Clark is a father, husband and writer on a mission to help creative entrepreneurs rewrite stories that they tell themselves about where they’ve been and what they can accomplish. He’s the author of Eyes on the Road, a book designed to help you accept your past, embrace the present moment and get excited about the future. Michell is passionate about helping those searching for peace and creates inspirational art in addition to hosting the After You Fail podcast, which hosts conversations that help you give yourself grace.
Alyssa Marie
Alyssa Marie is a natural hair, beauty and lifestyle content creator known for her big hair and bubbly personality. The Atlanta based influencer has developed an international online community that celebrates and empowers women of color. Featured in Essence Magazine, Grind Pretty magazine and most recently on Fox5 Atlanta, Alyssa Marie connects with her audience of over 200,000 on her platforms collectively, through genuine and relatable content. She aims to get her message of self love and acceptance to as many people as she can through her personal motto: “look good, feel good, be good”.
Juan Acosta
Juan Acosta is a first-generation Mexican immigrant who grew up in Woodland, California. He is a Mental Health + LGBTQ+ Activist, Content Creator, and Public Speaker. He began his advocacy work locally at age 13. At 21, Juan drafted a historic LGBTQ+ proclamation for his hometown of Woodland. He received his bachelor’s degree in psychology from San Francisco State University. His work is focused on underserved communities specifically on the LGBTQ+, Immigrant and Latinx communities. He has served on various national mental health committees, and his speaking engagements have included; United Nations Side Events and the first-ever Youth Mental Health Action Forum White House Event where he spoke alongside FLOTUS Dr. Jill Biden, Selena Gomez and U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy. Juan co-authored the New York Times Bestselling “Channel Kindness: Stories of Kindness and Community” with musical artist and actress Lady Gaga + other Born This Way Foundation Reporters. His work has been featured by DOSOMETHING, MTV, Yahoo, LGBTQ Nation, Out Magazine and more. In 2023, Acosta was recognized by STAT News in their 2023 STATUS list for his influential work in life sciences, and by the The Advocate Magazine in their 2023, 30 Under 30 List.
JMatt
JMatt is a mental health advocate with a focus on suicide prevention and awareness. His public advocacy started over 7 years ago when he was invited to participate in the 22 Pushup Challenge, symbolizing the average (at the time) of 22 veterans that die by suicide each day. For over 2,600 days he’s posted videos to Instagram and completed 57,200+ pushups in an effort to get resources out to the public and destigmatize suicide so more people ask for help.
Ashton McGrady
Ashton is a Nashville-based creator known for her captivating content that seamlessly blends plus-size fashion, lifestyle, and beauty with a unique perspective on disability. With her witty humor, unapologetic attitude, and her service dog, Forest, on her side, she's on a mission to shake up the world and make it a more inclusive place for all. Ashton isn't just about looking fabulous; she's also a fierce advocate for the disability community. Her platform serves as a beacon of empowerment and representation, challenging societal norms and inspiring others to embrace their authentic selves.
#LifesaverAmbassadors on Instagram
Learn More About AFSP and Our Mission
Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in the U.S., with over 48,000 Americans dying each year. It’s the second leading cause of death in for those between the ages of 10-34. It’s estimated that there are 25 suicide attempts for each death, or more than 1 million suicide attempts per year.
AFSP is a non-profit health organization that gives those affected by suicide a nationwide community empowered by research, education, and advocacy to take action against this leading cause of death. As the largest suicide prevention organization in the United States, we are dedicated to educating people on the topic of suicide prevention and aiming to reduce the shame that some still feel around the subject of mental health.
By working alongside passionate influencers and encouraging our communities to have difficult, lifesaving conversations, we fight to take action against this leading cause of death.