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I’ve got a fundraiser going for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention that you may have heard about. But why should you pre-order a shirt and donate to this vital cause? What does the AFSP do with that money? How does it help bring us closer to the goal of suicide prevention?
After recently becoming a member of our local Washington Chapter’s Board of Directors I’ve been even more struck by the dedication and activities of this volunteer-led organization. And by the way, a few people have asked and no, I am not getting paid to do this work. Its my passion and I gladly volunteer my time.
So what will your donation dollars to my walk do?
I’ll give you a little breakdown in dollars below but first I want to tell you the things that wow me about this foundation.
- safeTALK: This is a FREE suicide alertness training that we offer to anyone (adults and teens ages 15+). Trainers have volunteered their time to become teachers of this 3-hour course, and AFSP Chapters use donation dollars to sponsor these sessions. What is suicide alertness? I’ve written a complete post here, but basically its being aware of our surroundings and loved ones. When we see that someone has changed their behavior, its learning the ways to ask the tough question “Are you thinking of suicide?” and its learning the appropriate steps to take to get them to crisis resources in your area.
- Mental Illness Education: One example, last year the AFSP launched a resource film called “Living with Bipolar.” I posted about my experience of watching it for the first time here. But this 45-minute film changed the way I looked at my own mental illness and educates many about this common disease that can often include suicidal ideation.
- Advocacy: Just last week, volunteers from AFSP chapters traveled to DC for an advocacy forum. What does that mean? They made appointments and visited with our country’s legislators to talk about the importance of mental health reform and suicide prevention. Local volunteer advocates in your area are also on the phones and emailing state representatives on a regular basis trying to get the laws changed. Talking to school superintendents to make sure they’re in compliance with suicide prevention legislation. Making a difference with our system of laws.
- Suicide Survivor Support: Not an aspect of suicide prevention, rather support for those who have lost loved ones to suicide. Trained volunteers who have lost loved ones themselves do in-home visits with individuals who have recently had a loss, to support and offer help in this time of grief and crisis.
- The Walks: Yes, these are fundraising events, but they are so much more than that. This is a community. This is a coming together of those who struggle themselves or have experienced a loss, to offer love and support. Often times walkers have not shared their story or pain with anyone else until they know they are safe in this environment.We know we are not alone is this when we participate in a walk.
- Others: There are other things like research, interactive screenings, education of medical professionals and the like. The opportunities for suicide prevention is incalculable.
But you know what. Yes, the AFSP is helping others. But those who volunteer and support our organization get so much more in return. I’m almost in tears thinking about the healing and empowerment I’ve received from being involved.
If you don’t have time to volunteer, your donation dollars really do make a difference. Please consider donating to my walk fundraising page here, or purchasing a shirt (45-50% of your purchase will go directly to the AFSP.)
Here’s a bit more information about what your dollars donated to the AFSP can do:
- EVERY $10: AFSP distributes one Depression and Bipolar Awareness educational program (DVD).
- EVERY $50: AFSP provides educational materials to 25 people. If just one person seeks help after reading these materials, a life could be saved for less than the cost of dinner and a movie.
- EVERY $100: AFSP educates a mental health professional or primary care physician about the warning signs of suicide. Each of them in turn, will reach and inform hundreds – maybe thousands – of people.
- EVERY $250: Enables AFSP to recruit and train a volunteer field advocate who can then educate Federal, State and local elected officials about suicide prevention.
- EVERY $500: Trains a new Survivor of Suicide support group facilitator. Each new facilitator will bring group members together with other survivors. Together, they will see that they are not alone.
- EVERY $1,000: Funds a year of research into the genetic, biological or behavioral factors that contribute to suicide when added to $1,000 from 44 other walkers. The number of lives potentially saved by this research is incalculable.
- EVERY $5,000: Places AFSP’s innovative Interactive Screening Program (ISP) at a college or university to identify at risk students and get them into treatment.
- Every dollar you donate will help you save the life of a child, a parent, a sibling or a close friend.
If you or someone you love is in crisis, please call the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255).
