AFSP Offers Resources and Learning to Fight Suicide in Hispanic & Latine Communities this Hispanic Heritage Month
NEW YORK, Sept. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- This Hispanic Heritage Month the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) is encouraging Hispanic and Latine communities to support those who are struggling with their mental health through events and resources. This includes participating in an Out of the Darkness community walk to raise awareness and funds, taking a virtual Talk Saves Lives suicide prevention course in Spanish and exploring the new Spanish language website. Additionally, the public is invited to tune into AFSP's signature podcast, Strong Talk, featuring Dr. Pierluigi Mancini, who will share insights on the importance of having cultural and linguistic appropriate mental health treatment in Hispanic communities.
Hispanics across the U.S. continue to face significant barriers to mental health underscoring the need for more resources. Suicide rates among Hispanic individuals in the U.S. rose 9.5% between 2018 and 2023. These challenges are often compounded by cost, language, geography and the isolation many, as in the case of immigrants, feel when separated from family and support networks. There are things we can do this Suicide Prevention Month to help those in our community thrive in the face of mental health struggles.
Get Involved
AFSP's Out of the Darkness Walks season begins in September and continues throughout the fall season bringing nearly a quarter of a million people together each year. Anyone can participate. Together, we can send the message that suicide can no longer exist in the shadows and raise much-needed awareness and funds for this leading cause of death.
- Join a community walk near you here (afsp.org/walks) in all 50 states, plus Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico.
Learn About Suicide Prevention
Talk Saves Lives: An Introduction to Suicide Prevention for the Latinx and Hispanic Communities covers the scope of this leading cause of death, what the research has found to be the warning signs and risk factors of suicide, and the strategies that prevent it. The goal of this new program is to create conversations in Latinx and Hispanic communities around mental health and encourage help-seeking to prevent suicide and suicide attempts. Participation in this program is shown to advance suicide prevention with 94% of respondents indicating a likelihood to contact a crisis service for themselves or others and 91% expressing a willingness to seek help if struggling themselves.
- Sign up here or at www.afsp.org/hablarsalvavidas (Oct.1, Spanish) and here or at www.afsp.org/talksavesliveshispanic (Oct. 2, English for Hispanic audiences) for this virtual event taking place at 2-3:30 p.m. ET.
Tune into Strong Talk Podcast
Strong Talk Podcast, hosted by AFSP Vice President for Health Equity and Engagement Victor Armstrong, will be speaking to Dr. Pierluigi Mancini who will discuss the importance of language access and cultural relevance in mental health resources for the Latinx community. With over 30 years of experience in culturally and linguistically appropriate behavioral health treatment, Dr. Mancini has published a book, ¡Mental! In The Trump Era - Ten Inspirational Stories About Immigrants Overcoming Addiction, Depression and Anxiety in America, founded Georgia's only Latino behavioral health program that serves immigrant populations and has recently been appointed to the Mental Health America National Board of Directors.
- Tune in here on October 8.
Visit the New Spanish Website
AFSP's dedication to creating a culture that is smart and proactive about mental health has driven the creation of a Spanish language website at es.afsp.org to ensure one of the largest demographics in the United States now has linguistically accessible information and resources to fight suicide. The site features information on mental health conditions, suicide risk factors and guidance for those supporting someone in crisis, and how to get involved. It also promotes awareness of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, which remains underutilized among Hispanic adults.
- Visit es.afsp.org to learn about suicide prevention.
Whether you are directly or indirectly affected by suicide, learn about culturally relevant resources to offer support by visiting these resources pages in English and Spanish. Hear the stories of survivors and resilience.
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.
Media interested in speaking with AFSP on this news are encouraged to fill out this press request form and review AFSP's Ethical Reporting Guidelines.
SOURCE American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
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