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Stories about Annual Report

AFSP Volunteer Advocate Terri Lavely smiling in a white cardigan.

Training to Become a Volunteer Advocate for Suicide Prevention Felt Like a Gift

In January of 2016, I lost my 18-year-old nephew to suicide. The loss was devastating. Being an AFSP Volunteer Advocate has helped me process my own personal experiences, and be braver in standing up for my own needs, those of my family, our community, and all humans. We’re all in this together.

AFSP National Capital Area chapter volunteer Alexander Silva smiling and looking at the camera.

Bringing Hope and Suicide Prevention Resources to Veterans and Military Members

To me, AFSP is the embodiment of effective leadership. Every volunteer can use their strengths and contribute in whatever capacity suits them. It’s a privilege to help Veterans and military members connect and engage openly about mental health.

AFSP North Texas chapter volunteer William Floyd wearing a dark blue t-shirt and looking at the camera.

Navigating Out of the Darkness

I think a big misconception is that those with lived experience are selfish or weak. We are neither. Mental health can be like a labyrinth, and it takes a lot to navigate out of the darkness.

AFSP Tennessee chapter volunteer Paul Augustyniak smiling and looking at the camera.

Finding Strength Through Connection As a Healing Conversations Coordinator

My wife Alice and I had known each other for 35 years and been married for 33 years. Losing her to suicide in 2016 was a terrible, traumatic experience. It was the people I met through AFSP who convinced me to become involved as a volunteer. I realized that we gain more strength through connection.

Headshot of Dr. Santhiny Rajamohan

Talk Saves Lives: How I’m Educating the Next Generation of Nurses

My interest in helping those with mental health challenges originated when I was working as a Registered Nurse in an inpatient psychiatric unit. I worked with families who struggled to understand the dynamics of their loved ones who were experiencing distress.

Jennifer Johnson headshot

Changing the Conversation on Suicide in the Black Community

I am a Black woman, and in our community, suicide is largely taboo. It is time for that mindset to be eradicated. I am doing my best to bring about the conversation of suicide prevention in our untapped populations, especially those of color.

Francis Gonzalez headshot

Delivering Talk Saves Lives en Español

Mental health and suicide are topics that are not spoken about enough in the Latinx community, though suicide has always impacted us. It’s exciting to me that AFSP’s Talk Saves Lives education program is available in Spanish.

Nancy Cooper headshot

Finding Strength in AFSP’s Overnight Community

I would like to see a world without suicide, in which everyone takes care of their mental health, and all people support one another and are kind to each other. Everyone should have access to the mental health support and services that they need.

Ihsan Hines headshot

I Walk for Atif and a World Without Suicide

When I envision my hope for the future, stigma around mental health will be a thing of the past. I plan to participate in the healing of our world by being transparent, and teaching others what I’ve learned through my times of struggle and triumph.

Patient talking to doctor

Our Nationwide Initiative to Reduce the Annual Rate of Suicide in the U.S. 20% by 2025

Using data that specify who we are losing to suicide and how we are losing them, AFSP’s board of expert advisors has honed a comprehensive plan to save lives.

Volunteers holding advocacy signs

Speaking Out in the Fight to Stop Suicide

Thanks to the hard work of our volunteers and staff, this past year we saw the successful passage of five federal bills and 27 state bills in support of our top public policy priorities.

African American boy at desk in school

Changing Attitudes, Culture and Behavior Through Education

Our chapters more than met the challenge to #KeepGoing in making our education programs available throughout the pandemic. Despite the outbreak of COVID-19, we quickly adapted our education programs from in-person to virtual presentations, ensuring that we are still creating a culture that is smart about mental health.