Largest Suicide Prevention Organization Declares "A 20 Percent Reduction of Annual Suicide Rate by 2025 is Attainable"

NEW YORK, Sept. 8, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Each year in the United States, suicide claims nearly 40,000 lives – more than war, murder, and natural disasters combined. On Monday, the first day of National Suicide Prevention Week, the leading suicide research and prevention organization, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) will declare it is possible to have a 20 percent reduction in the annual suicide rate by 2025.

"Robin Williams's recent death saddened our nation. It also prompted a much-needed conversation about this important health issue," said Robert Gebbia, Chief Executive Officer of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. "Over the past few years, more and more people are speaking out about their personal experience with suicide. That's a big change. And it's why we believe that in the next ten years, by 2025, we can reduce the annual suicide rate by 20 percent. But to accomplish this, we need to take action - we need greater investment in research, education, and advocacy."

AFSP will host a variety of events and initiatives during National Suicide Prevention Week, with a different focus each day:

Monday - Prevention

• Available for the first time the AFSP will be releasing a short guide on how to start a conversation with a loved one who might need help.
• T-shirt fundraiser - AFSP is partnering with Sevenly, a social good clothing company that donates $7 of every item purchased during a 7-day campaign to help raise funds and awareness. The 7-day campaign in support of AFSP begins at 1 PM EST on September 8 and runs through September 12.

Tuesday - Research
Twitter chat:  What is new in the field of suicide prevention research?
Time: 1 – 2 PM EST
Participants:
Jill Harkavy-Friedman, Ph.D., Vice President of Research at AFSP
Doreen Marshall, Senior Director of Education and Prevention at AFSP
Hashtag: #SuicideChat

Wednesday – Advocacy
Policy briefing: Release of new online educational tools and resources that will help consumers learn which mental health services are covered under the Affordable Care Act and other health insurance plans
Where: 475 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C.
When: 1 – 2 PM EST
Participants:
Former U.S. Representative Patrick Kennedy
AFSP Chief Executive Officer Robert Gebbia
Senior Vice President of Public Policy and Practice Improvement, National Council for Behavioral Health, Chuck Ingoglia
Hashtag: #MHTools
RSVP: Media must RSVP for this event, contact Alexis O'Brien, [email protected]/347-826-3577.

Film screening/panel discussion:  AFSP is hosting a screening of Dead Poets Society. Prior to the film there will be a short panel discussion featuring national leaders from the mental health field on the subjects of battling depression and coping with loss. 
Where:                       
French Institute's Florence Gould Hall Theatre   
55 East 59th Street, New York, NY
When: 7:30 to 10:30 PM EST
Hashtag: #EndSuicide
Partners: eflixir.com and We-Care.com  
RSVP: Media must RSVP for this event, contact Alexis O'Brien, [email protected]/347-826-3577.

Thursday - Education

• On Thursday, AFSP will highlight the education programs we offer, specifically to a student and teacher audience including More Than Sad, a set of educational tools that help educators talk to teens about depression and suicide prevention. 

Friday – Workplace Wellness

• Friday will feature a social media contest, where the general public and AFSP volunteers will wear an AFSP shirt and take a "selfie" with the hashtag #SelfiesAgainstStigma.
• Friday will also focus on messages of workplace wellness and our new Workplace Interactive Screening Program.

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is the leader in the fight against suicide. We fund research, create educational programs, advocate for public policy and support survivors of suicide loss. Led by CEO Robert Gebbia and headquartered in New York, AFSP has 67 local chapters with programs and events nationwide. Review our Annual Report to learn more about AFSP's life-saving work. Join the national conversation on suicide prevention by following AFSP on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

SOURCE American Foundation for Suicide Prevention