Unforgettable Nights of Community and Purpose: AFSP’s 2026 Annual Research Dinner and Lifesavers Gala

Each year, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), the largest private funder of suicide prevention research, hosts its Research Dinner and Lifesavers Gala to honor mental health and suicide prevention changemakers and recognize the past year’s accomplishments. The two events are particularly impactful this year, given our culture’s increasing awareness of the importance of mental health, the growing challenges many people face, and AFSP’s recent announcement of its intent to merge with the Jed Foundation, to become the nation’s largest nonprofit dedicated to suicide prevention across the lifespan.

At AFSP’s 37th Annual Research Awards Dinner, held in New York City on May 5, hundreds of researchers and allies from across the country gathered to recognize peers who have advanced knowledge fueling suicide prevention efforts. Honorees presented their research findings to AFSP leadership and Board and Scientific Council members, as well as family and friends. This year, attendees especially recognized AFSP’s role as a major funder of mental health and suicide research, given recent reductions in government funding sources that have undermined the need for research. 

AFSP’s commitment to pioneering and groundbreaking research was evident in the three awards given out every year. The Lifetime Research Award was given to Jane Pearson Ph.D., special advisor to the director for suicide research, National Institute of Mental Health, for her lifelong career and body of work which have made a significant and broad impact on the field of suicide prevention. The Annual Research Award was given to Holly Wilcox, Ph.D., M.A., professor, Department of Mental Health at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, for her significant research in  public health approaches to suicide prevention, including policies, early intervention, and developing continuous, connected systems of support.

Additionally, Dr. Mina Rizk, MD, received the Paula J. Clayton Early Research Grant Award, for his AFSP funded research grant, “Immune Mechanisms Underlying The Rapid Anti-suicidal Effects of Electroconvulsive Therapy and Ketamine.” The award is named after trailblazer psychiatrist Dr. Paula J. Clayton who was a true force for suicide prevention research, including research related to mood disorders, somatic and pharmacological treatments to prevent suicide, understanding the impact of bereavement by suicide loss and preventing suicide among physicians. 

The awards are made through a nomination and selection process conducted by the AFSP Scientific Council. Recipients received their awards the following night at the annual Lifesavers Gala. 

Want to learn more about the Research Dinner award recipients?: Listen to the latest Ask Dr. Jill podcast episode featuring Jane Pearson and Holly Wilcox here. 

On May 6, across a backdrop of billowing greenery from Central Park and high rises illuminated by the setting sun, author, artist, and speaker, Michell C. Clark, took to the stage as the host of the Lifesavers Gala. Clark is intimately familiar and dedicated to advancing mental health and is part of AFSP’s Lifesaver Ambassadors. He often reflects and provides guidance on mental health across his social channels in a way that is soulfully compassionate, wise, and supportive of his more than half a million followers. “Tonight, we are in a room full of people who refuse to leave each other,” said Michelll C. Clark. “Your presence and generosity make this work possible, and together you are saving lives.” 

“Tonight is a night about turning grief into purpose, compassion into action, and silence into connection, so more people get a chance to stay, to heal, and to live.” With these words, Gala Chair Peter Fang also welcomed hundreds of guests. Peter is worldwide vice president, Neuroscience, Global Commercial Strategy Organization at Johnson & Johnson , a major sponsor of the gala. 

Honorees delivered hopeful and impactful remarks, each sharing their personal connection to the cause, why this work is meaningful to them, and the role we can all play in suicide prevention. 

“The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention gave me my first grant,” said Annual Research Award recipient Holly Wilcox. “That funding helped lead to other grants, and it really makes a huge difference to people like me to have that support.” 

“AFSP’s support has been so essential to getting new investigators started or established investigators with new ideas who want to move ahead, and that pile of work is so essential to get funding,” said Lifetime Research Award recipient Jane Pearson. “Federal and private partners and collaborations are so necessary for progress, and the field has benefitted so much from that coordination.” 

“For me, advocacy has always started with honesty and vulnerability with the belief that one person telling the truth about their mental health can give another person the permission to tell the truth about theirs,” said Public Education Lifesaver Award recipient Carson Daly, media personality and co-host of NBC’s TODAY and The Voice. “When we talk about these things openly and compassionately, we don’t create more pain. We create a path to more healing.” Daly’s wife, Siri Pinter, followed Carson to reflect on her own tragedy of losing her younger brother to suicide. Her parents, who were in the audience, looked on sharing in the solemnity and positivity of a moment recognizing the devastation caused by the loss, but also the hope we can create by taking action.  

“When I was younger, I thought strength meant being perfect, smiling through the pain, performing through the exhaustion and never letting anyone see you struggle. Figure skating taught me that vulnerability was a weakness,” said Public Service Lifesaver Award recipient Olympian, author, and advocate Gracie Gold. “If sharing my story helps one person feel seen, reached one person that’s in that dark place, that’s the greatest purpose I can ask for.” 

Given the announced merger between AFSP and The Jed Foundation, several honorees, including Donna and Phil Satow, founders of The Jed Foundation and Humanitarian Lifesaver awardees, recognized the significance of this decision, highlighting the progress and advancements that will be made in the field. 

“Today JED’s compressive approach to suicide prevention has touched nearly eight-million college and high-school students. Now, to any college or high school official, I would say that protecting emotional health is both a medical and public health issue. No school mission is attainable if students are struggling, some just to live,” said Phil Satow. “With the creation of AFSP/JED, we are prepared for changing the landscape of expectations of suicide prevention.” 

The night also recognized AFSP CEO of 27 years, Bob Gebbia, who will be retiring next year.  

“I almost didn’t take this job 27 years ago. I said ‘I’m going to do it and give it a try. Two years, [and] I’ll do something else. Two years went to twenty-seven,” said Bob. “My award is spending all these years working on this cause, working with all of you. It really is a tribute to all of you, the work we’ve done, how much you care, the dedication, the passion, the science, the advocacy, and all you do to prevent suicide.” 

AFSP Board Chair Ray Paul Jr. recalled his first interaction with Bob right after losing his son, Buck, to suicide years ago.  

“It was after 5 o’ clock and I called Bob, and not surprisingly I got a voicemail and didn’t leave a message. I didn’t know what to say. Within one minute, my phone rang and it was Bob at his compassionate best,” said Ray. “I told him the story of losing our son Buck, and Bob said, ‘I’m going to think about everything you said and get back to you.’ Bob called back a week or two later and said, ‘We’d like to invite you and your wife to the Research Dinner and attend our Gala.’ We did, and the rest is history.” 

Nearly $675,000 was raised and will support AFSP’s leading initiatives in the areas of research, education, advocacy, and support for those affected by suicide. The events may be over, but you can still support AFSP’s critical advocacy, research, and education efforts. Make a donation here.