Video American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
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. 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.
Maps American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
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. 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. Survivors of suicide loss can participate in local gatherings in their communities or view the program online. After a Suicide: A Toolkit for Schools 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".
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
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. 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.
See also
- National Survivors of Suicide Day
- World Suicide Prevention Day
References
External links
- Official website
- Out of the Darkness Walks official website
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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