American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

Cause Area

  • Health & Medicine

Location

14842 West 90th TerLenexa, KS 66215 United States
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Organization Information

Mission Statement

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) is the leading national not-for-profit organization exclusively dedicated to understanding and preventing suicide through research, education and advocacy, and to reaching out to people with mental disorders and those impacted by suicide.

To fully achieve its mission, AFSP engages in the following Five Core Strategies:

  • Fund scientific research
  • Offer educational programs for professionals
  • Educate the public about mood disorders and suicide prevention
  • Promote policies and legislation that impact suicide and prevention
  • Provide programs and resources for survivors of suicide loss and people at risk, and involve them in the work of the Foundation

Description

In 1987, a number of leading experts on suicide came together with business and community leaders and survivors of suicide to form AFSP, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. They believed that only a combined effort would make it possible to fund the research necessary for progress in the prevention of suicide. Such an approach has proven successful with heart disease, cancer and diabetes and it was hoped that it would be successful in dealing with depression and suicide.

Many of our original founders were concerned with the alarming rise in youth suicide over the past four decades. During this period, the suicide of young men had tripled; that of young women had doubled. Suicide is now the second major cause of death among high school and college students.

Suicide is even more frequent among older people. The highest rates are found in men over 50. Before the AFSP was formed, there was no national not-for-profit organization dedicated to funding the research, education and treatment programs necessary to prevent suicide. Over the past 20 years, we have changed that.

Reviews

Would you recommend American Foundation for Suicide Prevention?
1 review Write a review
by Caroline A. (2012-07-26 08:41:54.0)
I lost a family member to suicide in September of 2010. I found the group to be very supportive and like a new family for me. By becoming involved as a volunteer, I know that I can help make a difference in other peoples lives. If I can help prevent someone else from taking their life than I have accomplished a goal. I am now dedicating myself to volunteering and want to make this organization part of my life.
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