American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Offers New Community-Based Program Supporting People Who Have Experienced a Loss to Suicide

August 5, 2025 (New York, NY) — In the United States, a suicide death touches about 135 people on average. Depending on circumstances such as proximity to the deceased and type of community, the risk of suicide contagion can increase. Knowing how to support those who are affected after these deaths can make a positive difference, but few know how. That’s why the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) launched Caring Communities: Guidance for Supporting Survivors of Suicide Loss, a new one-hour presentation, available in-person or virtually, designed to provide participants (age 18+) with information, resources, and practical guidance on how to support someone who has experienced a recent loss to suicide. The program is suitable for workplaces, community groups, and individuals who want to learn how to build more supportive environments for loss survivors.

“Even though so many of us are affected by suicide loss, few of us understand suicide and know what to do and say for loved ones, friends and colleagues who are impacted. It’s our intention that our Caring Communities presentation will deepen understanding to better help loss survivors heal and support each other in these incredibly painful and challenging situations,” said AFSP SVP of Programs Trisha Calabrese.

Suicide is a serious public health issue in the U.S. and a leading cause of death as nearly 50,000 people die by suicide yearly and 1.6 million attempt. Suicide can be a sensitive topic, but talking about mental health and suicide is important for both preventing suicide and supporting those who lose someone they know to suicide. Caring Communities was developed by AFSP's National Loss and Healing Council, comprised of both experts in the field and people with lived experience of suicide loss. After attending, participants will:

• Understand suicide as a complex health issue
• Understand the impact of suicide on loss survivors
• Learn practical ways to support suicide loss survivors in various settings
• Become familiar with available resources for suicide loss survivors

Suicide affects millions of people each year and if you or someone you know has lost someone to suicide, you are not alone. Each survivor of suicide loss grieves in their own way, and on their own timeline. Fostering connection is a fundamental step toward hope and healing. In addition to Caring Communities, AFSP also has other loss resources dedicated to supporting loss survivors, including:

• Healing Conversations: gives those who have lost a loved one to suicide the opportunity to speak with a trained volunteer who is also a survivor of suicide loss. The goal of this programming is to help recent survivors navigate this challenging journey by offering support, connection, and resources so they don’t feel alone.
• International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day (also known as “Survivor Day”): offers free community events that happen the Saturday before American Thanksgiving across the nation. Survivor Day brings people together, both in person and virtually, for a day of connection, healing, and remembering those who have died by suicide.

Together, we can encourage those who are struggling to seek help and to know they’re not alone. Other helpful organizations and resources for survivors of suicide loss include:

• Alliance of Hope offers a moderated online community and practical resources specifically for suicide loss survivors, available 24/7.
• The Dougy Center supports children, teens, young adults, and their families who are grieving a death, with developmentally appropriate resources and peer support.
• TAPS provides compassionate care and a network of support for anyone grieving the loss of a military or Veteran loved one.

AFSP creates a culture that prioritizes mental health by funding scientific research, educating the public about mental health and suicide prevention, advocating for public policies that support mental health and suicide prevention, and supporting survivors of suicide loss and those affected by suicide. To learn more and find additional resources, visit: afsp.org/loss.

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The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is dedicated to saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide, including those who have experienced a loss. AFSP creates a culture that’s smart about mental health through public education and community programs, develops suicide prevention through research and advocacy, and provides support for those affected by suicide. Led by CEO Robert Gebbia and headquartered in New York, with its Policy and Advocacy Office in Washington, D.C., AFSP has local chapters in all 50 states, D.C. and Puerto Rico, with programs and events nationwide. Learn more about AFSP in its latest Annual Report and join the conversation on suicide prevention by following AFSP on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and TikTok.

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