American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Post

The statistics are alarming, and the reality is heartbreaking. We cannot ignore the mental health crisis among our children and teens any longer. National surveillance data paints a stark picture: roughly 8% of adolescents attempt suicide each year, and a staggering 17% report serious suicidal ideation. Approximately 157,000 individuals between the ages of 10 and 24 receive emergency medical care for intentional self-inflicted injuries annually. That’s 157,000 young lives hanging in the balance — a number that should compel us all to take action. In March 2023, Elmcrest took a crucial step forward by opening a Mental Health Crisis Center. Since then, 187 children have been served. But this is just the beginning. That's why we plan to open another mental health center. By supporting Elmcrest's mental health programs, you're contributing to providing essential services to those who need them most. Visit our website to learn more about Elmcrest's initiatives and how you can lend a helping hand. Let's stand together and be the change our children deserve. https://lnkd.in/eTXfqFqf 

Lost Voices, Unheard Pain: Why Open Dialogue on Mental Health Can Save Lives This past week, I had the privilege of being invited to speak about suicide prevention and mental health at the Surface Warfare Flag Officer Symposium. It's always my hope that sharing my story and personal struggles can inspire others to seek help when needed and offer support to those facing similar challenges. We all carry invisible burdens that weigh heavily on us. Often masked, these struggles can lead to serious consequences if ignored. It's clear that openly discussing and normalizing the challenges faced by veterans, and indeed all individuals, reminds us of our shared humanity—where routine self-care is as essential as maintaining a car. One crucial reason for my advocacy is rooted in my own experience. The people I lost to suicide had reached out and communicated their intentions, but their voices went unheard. This underscores the devastating impact of not listening and responding to those in distress. The most rewarding aspect of my talks is seeing others find the courage to share their own experiences. At this event, a fellow service member bravely opened up about her military challenges and the transformative impact of seeking help. Her courage resonates deeply, highlighting the importance of speaking up and being heard. I am committed to spreading this message throughout our military and beyond. Together, we can foster a culture where seeking support is a sign of strength, not weakness, and where listening can truly make a difference.

It's Children's Mental Health Awareness Week! Much of my career and research has focused on youth mental health and suicide prevention. Through this work I’ve analyzed data, spoken with dozens of youth, and collaborated with many partners to foster mental health among youth. This week, I'll be sharing some of what I’ve learned from that work, as well as some articles and resources. First, one of the best resources out there is the Blueprint for Youth Suicide Prevention, co-developed by AAP and AFSP in collaboration with experts from NIMH (aap.org/suicideprevention). Check out this article I co-authored last year about how the Blueprint came together! https://lnkd.in/gkW9_hBQ

🚨According to Mental Health America, Virginia is currently ranked 48th in the nation for access to youth mental health care, highlighting the importance of continuing to put pressure on our General Assembly to center young people, their families, and their communities in addressing the mental health crisis of Virginia’s young people. 🏫School-based mental health services should be expanded, with a clear focus on streamlining local, state, and federal funding and building a diverse, culturally responsive, and trauma-informed workforce. 📢Young people’s mental health needs must be prioritized in the development of the community-based crisis response system. Find out what it will take to support the youth mental health crisis in Virginia by reading our full policy agenda here: https://lnkd.in/eRq_xH_v

Join the Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) for part two of a three-part webinar series on understanding equity in suicide prevention. 📅 July 24 ⏰ 1PM ET The presenters will highlight the connections between mental health, suicide, and social justice and describe how analyzing social location (i.e., a person’s social identities) can promote mental health and prevent suicide in communities that are disproportionately impacted. Designed to support anyone engaged in suicide prevention, this webinar series can also help those working at the community level in other fields of work. Register today ⤵️ https://lnkd.in/grZPRZge To learn more about communities disproportionately affected by suicide, check out Strategic Direction 4 of the 2024 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention (https://lnkd.in/edr7CfcU)

It's not too late to register for this transformative training on Decolonizing Suicide Prevention! Learn the skills needed for culturally informed mental health support and make a difference by supporting populations of color and immigrant communities. Join us on January 17, 2024 from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm. Presented by Lydia Lamba, a passionate advocate for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion within the mental health field, this training will define decolonization within mental health and delve into how it can better serve marginalized communities. Gain a deeper understanding of the racist history of mental health and suicide prevention, and learn how to address implicit bias. Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your cultural competency and sensitivity and join us in advocating for a more inclusive and equitable future. Register online today: https://ow.ly/qfYC50Qkl3o? Share this post with anyone who may benefit from this training. #SuicidePrevention #MentalHealthAdvocacy #DecolonizingMentalHealth

Did you know that the Kaufman Fund has a Mental Health Collaborative? A what? you may ask. Connecting people to mental health resources is part of what the Kaufman Fund does. You can read more here: https://ow.ly/qVUz50SCJTy

With mental health and substance abuse being major health and safety concerns within the construction industry, it is critical to foster conversation around suicide prevention. "More than 49,000 people in the United States died by suicide in 2022. That's one death every 11 minutes." - U.S. Department of Health and Human Services May is Mental Health Awareness Month. What action steps will you be taking to end the stigma and start the conversation? Take a look at the 2024 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention created by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Introducing Evan Grant: Co-founder and Chair of the Cameron Grant Memorial Trust, a beacon of hope in the realm of mental health awareness and suicide prevention. Evan's journey is deeply personal, born out of the tragic loss of his son, Cameron, who took his own life at the age of 21. In the wake of this devastating event, Evan channelled his grief into action, establishing the trust to honour Cameron's memory and to advocate tirelessly for those battling mental distress. Through the Trust, Evan works to dismantle the stigma surrounding mental health by fostering open conversations and encouraging individuals, especially young people, to speak up and seek help. Drawing from his own experience as a bereaved father and the invaluable work of the Trust, Evan's talks resonate with authenticity and empathy, shedding light on the importance of suicide prevention and the impact of depression. Evan's dedication extends beyond the realms of advocacy. After a distinguished 35-year career at IBM, he retired to devote more time to his mission. As a Mental Health First Aid instructor, Evan imparts invaluable knowledge and skills to organizations, empowering others to support mental health in their communities. Registration Link: https://buff.ly/492hD9o Join us in honouring Evan's resilience and dedication to mental health awareness. Together, let's continue the conversation and work towards a world where everyone feels supported and understood. 🌟💙 #SuicidePrevention #TimeToTalk Image Description: The background is a light green/turquoise colour. At the top of the image is a white border with the Speakers Collective log in the top right alongside the Mind/ Rethink Mental Health and Time to Talk Day logos. In the top left is 'In partnership with' then the Co-op logo. Underneath this is the title of the live stream 'Why We Are Taking Time to Talk - Online Event' Beneath which is a photo of Evan Grant. Below this, it says 'Speaker Spotlight then Charlie's name alongside 'Mental Health Advocate' The details of the live highlighted in the text of this post are then shown.

This is a brand-new program from AFSP. We can't save lives unless we learn more about Mental Health and Suicide Prevention. Tag someone who may be interested in attending virtually. https://lnkd.in/gAJUsqtz L.E.T.S. (listening, empathy, trust, support) Save Lives: An Introduction to Suicide Prevention for the Black Community is a presentation that covers what we know about mental health and suicide, the most up-to-date research on prevention, and what we can all do to help save lives.