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The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Hosts 33rd Annual Lifesavers Gala

April 25, 2022 – 3 min read

By AFSP

Lifesavers Gala background artwork

Contact: María de los Ángeles Corral, 917-439-2946, [email protected]

NEW YORK (April 25, 2022) – The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention will be hosting its annual Lifesavers Gala on Wednesday, May 11 in The Appel Room of Jazz at Lincoln Center's Frederick P. Rose Hall in New York City. Hosted by Tanaye White, model, entrepreneur and mental health advocate, the gala honors individuals who have made a substantial contribution to suicide prevention and recognizes the organization’s accomplishments over the past year.

“We are so thankful to the remarkable people we’ll honor at our gala who shine a light on suicide in ways that deepen our understanding and prevention efforts to save lives,” said Robert Gebbia, Chief Executive Officer of AFSP. The event helps AFSP raise funds for innovative research and delivery of education programs to stop suicide.

This year, AFSP will be honoring these advocates who will share their inspiring and informative stories about how suicide has affected them, and their valiant and passionate efforts to fight it.

Courtney B. Vance, Award-Winning Actor, Survivor of Suicide Loss Award

Appearing in The People vs. OJ Simpson: American Crime Story, Lovecraft Country, and too many other credits to mention, Courtney will be honored for his efforts to raise awareness for mental health and prevent suicide, having shared openly about his family’s experience of suicide loss and the importance of receiving support.

Kenneth Cole, The Mental Health Coalition, Suicide Prevention Champion Award

American designer, social activist, and visionary Kenneth Cole, will be honored for launching The Mental Health Coalition, which brings together the nation’s leading mental health organizations, brands, and individuals to join forces to end the debilitating stigma surrounding mental health, and to change the way people talk about, and care for, mental illness.

Melissa Bernstein, Melissa & Doug and LifeLines, Public Education Award

Melissa Bernstein, who along with her husband Doug, is the Co-Founder of the successful toy company Melissa & Doug. After sharing her story of depression and suicidal ideation in her 2021 memoir, Melissa created LifeLines, a website and app that offers free webinars, events, and an online community to others struggling with mental illness. She will be honored for this important work.

For their work in suicide prevention research:

David Brent, M.D. University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Lifetime Achievement Research Award

Brian Ahmedani, Ph.D., Director, Center for Health Policy & Health Services Research at Henry Ford Health System, Annual Research Award

To learn more and purchase gala tickets, visit https://afsp.org/lifesavers-gala-2022–tickets start at $25 for virtual participation. The chair of the Lifesavers Gala this year is John Arena, SVP, head of Lundbeck US.

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is dedicated to saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide, including those who have had a loss. AFSP creates a culture that’s smart about mental health through 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 an Advocacy office in Washington, DC, AFSP has local chapters in all 50 states 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, and YouTube.