American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) is a voluntary health organization established in 1987. It funds research, runs educational programs, advocates for public policies in mental health and suicide prevention, and supports survivors of suicide loss. It is headquartered in New York, with an office in Washington, D.C.

Education and prevention programs

AFSP funds several programs to reduce stigma and help the public better understand suicide. The Interactive Screening Program (ISP) was first piloted at Emory University and is an online tool used to connect people at risk for suicide with counselors. It has been implemented in many settings, including colleges, police departments, workplaces and the NFL Players Union.[1][2][3] More Than Sad: Suicide Prevention Education for Teachers and Other School Personnel was designed to inform teachers and school administrators about their role in suicide prevention. It is also used to teach high school students about depression and ways to get help if they feel suicidal.

Postvention programs

International Survivors of Suicide Day is one where the AFSP brings together survivors of suicide loss at locations in the United States and Canada, to raise money and promote healing and connect with others that have had similar experiences.[4] It is officially observed on the Saturday before American Thanksgiving, where it was instituted as "National Survivors of Suicide Loss Day" in 1999 by a U.S. Senate resolution.[5] Survivors of suicide loss can participate in local gatherings in their communities or view the program online. After a Suicide: A Toolkit for Schools[6] contains information and resources for schools that have experienced a suicide in their community. The AFSP website confirms it "does not run, recommend, endorse, or fund any [support] groups". [7]

In the LGBT community

AFSP partnered with the Johnson Family Foundation and several LGBT organizations to develop media reporting guidelines for suicides that occur in the LGBT community. They have also sponsored and coordinated several national symposiums to address mental health and suicide within the LGBT community[8]

Criticism

In August, 2016, the AFSP formed a partnership with the National Shooting Sports Foundation, a gun industry trade association. According to Erin Dunkerly, a volunteer whose father committed suicide with a gun, there is a high risk of suicide from keeping firearms in the home, but the AFSP staff told volunteers not to talk about gun control. The AFSP then excluded from its walks violence prevention groups that promoted gun control. A walk co-chairwoman was removed from her post, and Dunkerly was removed from the board. The AFSP excludes the Brady Campaign from donating or participating.[9] Similar accounts of gun safety groups have been reported in Wisconsin by Khary Penebaker, San Diego by Wendy Wheatcroft, and in Maine by Judi Richardson. [10]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Garlow, S. J., Rosenberg, J., Moore, J. D., Haas, A. P., Koestner, B., Hendin, H. and Nemeroff, C. B. (2008), Depression, desperation, and suicidal ideation in college students: results from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention College Screening Project at Emory University. Depression and Anxiety, 25: 482–488.
  2. ↑ Haas A.P., Koestner B., Rosenberg J., Moore D., Garlow S.J., et al. (2008). An interactive Web-based method of outreach to college students at risk for suicide. Journal of American College Health, 57(1), 15–22.
  3. ↑ Moutier, Christine MD; Norcross, William MD; Jong, Pam MD; Norman, Marc PhD; Kirby, Brittany MSW; McGuire, Tara MS; Zisook, Sidney MD (2012). The Suicide Prevention and Depression Awareness Program at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine.
  4. ↑ https://afsp.org/find-support/ive-lost-someone/survivor-day/#section1
  5. ↑ http://www.reid.senate.gov/press_releases/2014-11-22-reid-statement-on-16th-annual-international-survivors-of-suicide-day#.WB0kjHeZORs
  6. ↑ "American Foundation for Suicide Prevention". Retrieved 2013-06-21.
  7. ↑
  8. ↑ Rudolph, Dana (2011-06-30). "LGBT suicide prevention conference shows local and national collaboration". Keen News Service. Retrieved 2013-06-21.
  9. ↑ The Gun Lobby Is Hindering Suicide Prevention, By ERIN DUNKERLY, New York Times, DEC. 26, 2017
  10. ↑ , By Sarah Schuster, Advocates Concerned AFSP's Partnership With Gun Group NSSF Affects Its Stance on Gun Policy, The Mighty, November 15, 2017
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