NEW YORK, May 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- This Mental Health
Awareness Month, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
(AFSP) is empowering people to have brave conversations about
mental health, and to lean in and ask directly about suicide if
struggles are not improving. With suicide continuing to be a
serious public health concern, AFSP is building on its breakthrough
"Talk Away the Dark" PSA campaign which teaches people how to spot
the warning signs of suicide, have caring conversations about
suicide and mental health, and connect people to help.
Throughout the month of May, AFSP is hosting and participating
in several virtual conversations and events in collaboration with
experts, researchers, leading organizations in mental health, and
culminating with a special musical conversation with the iconic
rock band Papa Roach. These events will deepen understanding of
suicide prevention and equip people to support each other,
including in the Spanish speaking community.
This May, AFSP also launched a new guide in its signature
#RealConvo Guides series. The #RealConvo guides provide tools for
starting and continuing conversations about mental health and
suicide prevention. They cover everyday topics such as how to
caringly talk to a survivor of suicide loss, reach out for help
when you need it, ask directly if you suspect someone may be at
risk, and respond if someone tells you they are having thoughts of
suicide. To further assist people in having these brave
conversations, AFSP's new #RealConvo Guide,
titled"Connecting Someone to Help (When They're
Hesitant)", covers how to:
- Validate the fears and feelings of a person in crisis
- Let the person know you hear them
- Reassure them there is no shame in getting help
- Respond to common hesitations such as, "Therapy's not for me,"
I don't have insurance," "I don't want to be forced into
hospitalization," and more
- Successfully connect the person to crisis resources, such as
the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
- Sensitively check back in on the person after a crisis
"You don't need to be a mental health expert to have
a meaningful and helpful conversation about mental health and
suicide," said AFSP Chief Executive Officer Bob Gebbia. "At AFSP, nurturing these
conversations is part of our everyday efforts, but we are
especially excited to spotlight their importance through resources
and events taking place this Mental Health Awareness Month. By
equipping people with tools to start and sustain mental health
discussions with our #RealConvo guides, we hope to remind people
that starting a conversation, checking in regularly, and making
sure people are connected to help can be lifesaving actions."
AFSP, in partnership with the National Action Alliance for
Suicide Prevention (Action Alliance) and the Suicide Prevention
Resource Center (SPRC), commissioned a 2022 Harris Poll,
that surveyed public attitudes toward suicide prevention and mental
health. The poll found that 96% of adults in the U.S. would take
action if someone were thinking about suicide and that 83%
were interested in learning how they might be able to play a role
in helping someone who may be suicidal. "Connecting Someone to
Help (When They're Hesitant)" will meet this strong desire for
education and tools to act by showing how you can follow your
instinct, reach out when you recognize the warning signs for
suicide and #TalkAwayTheDark to connect someone experiencing a
mental health crisis to support.
For more learning opportunities and ways to get involved during
May and beyond, tune into an upcoming AFSP virtual event:
- May 2, 2 pm ET, Mental Health Parity: Know Your Rights,
Protections, and Resources
- AFSP Senior Manager of Federal Policy Bill White, and Senior
Benefits Advisor at the Employee Benefits Security Administration
(EBSA) Carmen De Luna, will talk
about The Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and
Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (MHPAEA), also known as the parity
law. This federal law requires that health insurers/plans offering
mental health and substance use disorder benefits and services
provide coverage at the same level (comparable) as care for
physical health. Learn more here.
- May 16, 1 pm ET, "Ask Dr. Jill"
- AFSP Senior Vice President of Research, Dr. Jill Harkavy-Friedman answers questions about
how to help someone who might be hesitant to receive support. This
event is in partnership with The Mighty. Tune in here.
- May 20, 4 pm ET, Protecting Veteran's Mental Health
- Tune in to this live discussion on AFSP's Facebook and
YouTube channels to hear AFSP Senior Federal Policy Manager
Bill White, and AFSP Michigan
Chapter Volunteer Ian Perry, discuss the policies we can all
support and the role everyone can play in protecting Veteran's
mental health.
- May 22, Noon – 1 pm ET, Learn About Effective Treatments That
Help Hispanic and Latine Youth Who Struggle with Suicidal Thoughts
and Behaviors
- Join AFSP's Florida and Puerto
Rico Chapters for a virtual conversation with leading suicide
prevention researcher Dr. Duarté-Vélez about effective treatments
for youth experiencing suicidal ideation and behaviors, as well as
the role we can all play in preventing youth suicide. Register
here. (This conversation will be in Spanish
only)
- May 23, 1 pm ET, Overcoming Loneliness and Isolation
Twitter Chat
- The Presence of Mind initiative, led by Kaiser Permanente, will
team up with AFSP, NAMI, and other mental health nonprofit
organizations to engage in a Twitter/X Chat to encourage young
adults to gain a better understanding of mental health and provide
tools for overcoming feelings of loneliness. Tune in
here.
- May 28th,
Noon ET, Mental Health and the Queer
Community
- Join AFSP Chief Medical Officer Dr. Christine Yu Moutier, for an Instagram live
conversation with the National LGBTQ Task Force. The conversation
will focus on the importance of prioritizing mental health within
the Queer community and resources for those who might be
struggling.
- May 30, 4 pm ET, Talk Away the Dark: A Musical
Conversation with Jacoby Shaddix of
Papa Roach
- Tune in to AFSP's YouTube and Facebook channels to hear rock
legend Jacoby Shaddix and AFSP's
Director of Writing and Entertainment Brett Wean, discuss mental
health and the healing power of music.
More information about how to engage in meaningful conversations
about mental health can be found at afsp.org/realconvo.
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 a
public policy office in Washington,
DC, AFSP has local chapters in all 50 states, DC 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.
Please fill out this press request form with media inquiries and
review AFSP's Ethical Reporting Tips.
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SOURCE American Foundation for Suicide Prevention