To the Editor:
To kick off National Suicide Prevention Week (Sept. 8-12),
the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is announcing its goal to reduce the annual suicide rate in the United States 20 percent by 2025.
Last year in the United States, 39,518 people died by suicide—more lives than war, murder, and natural disasters combined. And the annual suicide rate has been steadily rising for over a decade.
It’s time we take action. A grassroots movement—in part catalyzed by AFSP—is gaining momentum. More people are speaking out about mental health and suicide prevention, and fighting against the prejudices that keep people at risk from seeking help.
Talk can save lives, but it takes a village. If we are to be successful, suicide prevention must become everyone’s business.
Our local AFSP chapter is hosting a walk this fall to raise awareness and support for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
Donations will fund research to find better ways to prevent suicide, education programs to raise awareness in schools and workplaces, advocacy initiatives to support public policy that makes mental health and suicide prevention a priority, and support services for survivors of suicide loss.
The walk in Washington, D.C. will be held on Sept. 20 starting at 5:30 p.m.
To register for the Washington, D.C. walk, visit www.afsp.org/walks or call 301-523-0387.
Join the conversation this week on Twitter. Use #EndSuicide to raise awareness about suicide prevention.
Cynthia Ruffner
Fairfax