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American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

  • Writer: David "Joe" Sanders
    David "Joe" Sanders
  • Nov 21
  • 4 min read

Let me first tell you that I have found the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention to be one of the most active sources for guidance and help in almost every form both in prevention awareness and in post suicide recovery. They have 74 Chapters across the United States and are located in all 50 states. The easiest way to find your local chapter is through their website at afsp.org. They provide education and community programs, support for survivors of suicide loss, and are always active in advocating for mental health policies at the state and federal levels.

Let me first tell you that I have found the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention to be one of the most active sources for guidance and help in almost every form both in prevention awareness and in post suicide recovery. They have 74 Chapters across the United States and are located in all 50 states.


The easiest way to find your local chapter is through their website at afsp.org. They provide education and community programs, support for survivors of suicide loss, and are always active in advocating for mental health policies at the state and federal levels.


I attended a webinar they provided earlier this week and felt like almost every word was worth sharing. While I can’t do that, I am going to dedicate this blog in the form of a list that highlights key features that were shared and emphasized during the event, along with some of my own input. And I would encourage you again to visit their national website to find more webinars to come. No part of this blog is intended to be all inclusive and is only my takeaway from their webinar. I am not an employee of AFSP, just an admirer.

Webinar

I attended a webinar they provided earlier this week and felt like almost every word was worth sharing. While I can’t do that, I am going to dedicate this blog in the form of a list that highlights key features that were shared and emphasized during the event, along with some of my own input. And I would encourage you again to visit their national website to find more webinars to come. No part of this blog is intended to be all inclusive and is only my takeaway from their webinar. I am not an employee of AFSP, just an admirer.


Key Features

Most people who die by suicide do have an underlying mental health condition, and most mental health conditions are common and treatable. Veteran suicide rates are more than 50% higher than the general population, but just because someone is a veteran does not mean that they personally are at risk. Some, but not all of the risk factors include, chronic medical conditions, abuse or neglect, traumatic experiences, family history of suicides, substance abuse, sexual abuse, moral injury and traumatic brain injury.

Most people who die by suicide do have an underlying mental health condition, and most mental health conditions are common and treatable.


Veteran suicide rates are more than 50% higher than the general population, but just because someone is a veteran does not mean that they personally are at risk.


Some, but not all of the risk factors include, chronic medical conditions, abuse or neglect, traumatic experiences, family history of suicides, substance abuse, sexual abuse, moral injury and traumatic brain injury.


Signs of impending suicide include, but are not limited to, talking about things such as being hopeless, unbearable pain, death, dying and no reason to live. Behavior changes include but are not limited to; sleeplessness or not being able to sleep, poor hygiene, reckless decisions, giving away possessions, checking insurance death benefits, and substance abuse. Mood Changes include but are not limited to; short Fuse, easily overwhelmed, unable to focus, feeling isolated and unwelcome. If you notice any of, or any combination of these signs in someone, trust your gut and engage with compassion, don’t blow it off.

Suicide Warning Signs

Signs of impending suicide include, but are not limited to, talking about things such as being hopeless, unbearable pain, death, dying and no reason to live.


Behavior changes include but are not limited to; sleeplessness or not being able to sleep, poor hygiene, reckless decisions, giving away possessions, checking insurance death benefits, and substance abuse.


Mood Changes include but are not limited to; short Fuse, easily overwhelmed, unable to focus, feeling isolated and unwelcome.


If you notice any of, or any combination of these signs in someone, trust your gut and engage with compassion, don’t blow it off.


Listen respectfully by hearing their warnings signs, asking open-ended questions that encourage them to speak and keeping the topic about them. Ask them directly things like, have you been considering suicide? Have you had those thoughts? Could you tell me or someone else if you had been?  Don’t worry, asking them would not put the idea in their head. If they answer that they have been thinking about suicide, don’t stop there, ask follow-up questions without getting into a debate with them. Express your appreciation that they told you, suggestion mental health professionals. Follow-up again soon after by providing them with contact information for professional help.

Listen Respectfully

Listen respectfully by hearing their warnings signs, asking open-ended questions that encourage them to speak and keeping the topic about them.


Ask them directly things like, have you been considering suicide? Have you had those thoughts? Could you tell me or someone else if you had been?  Don’t worry, asking them would not put the idea in their head.


If they answer that they have been thinking about suicide, don’t stop there, ask follow-up questions without getting into a debate with them. Express your appreciation that they told you, suggestion mental health professionals. Follow-up again soon after by providing them with contact information for professional help.


Firearms are the most common method used in accomplishing a suicide. Make sure that all firearms are safely locked away, out of sight and preferably out of their house. Be there for them as often as you can, in the form of a friend, not as a counselor. Talk about what they want to talk about, openly express your feelings for them. Remove unnecessary medications from the home, any pictures or items that you know will bring up unpleasant memories.

Help to Make Their Environment Safer

Firearms are the most common method used in accomplishing a suicide. Make sure that all firearms are safely locked away, out of sight and preferably out of their house.


Be there for them as often as you can, in the form of a friend, not as a counselor. Talk about what they want to talk about, openly express your feelings for them.


Remove unnecessary medications from the home, any pictures or items that you know will bring up unpleasant memories.


If you know someone has a plan for suicide or is currently in crisis, don’t wait for it to happen. You make the call 988. Get them to the nearest emergency department or call for immediate on the spot help if needed, 911.

Known to be Suicidal or in a Crisis

If you know someone has a plan for suicide or is currently in crisis, don’t wait for it to happen. You make the call 988. Get them to the nearest emergency department or call for immediate on the spot help if needed, 911.


Healing After a Loss

Healing after a loss can start at afsp.org/loss where you can find countless resources to start your journey. You are not alone.



Join a local chapter of AFSP or any other accredited organization that fights suicide, attend training sessions to become a volunteer, join community walks and other presentations to raise awareness, become an advocate and engage with social media accounts that raise awareness.

Ways You Can Help Prevent Suicide

Join a local chapter of AFSP or any other accredited organization that fights suicide, attend training sessions to become a volunteer, join community walks and other presentations to raise awareness, become an advocate and engage with social media accounts that raise awareness.



THE SIMPLE TRUTH, WHEN IT COMES TO SUICIDE, TALKING SAVES LIVES!!


**Reach out to me at any time. 

I am not only willing, but I also look forward to taking a share of your pain. Email: David@bondedabrotherslove.com. You will get a caring same day response.


Nothing scripted.   

You are not alone, and you matter.



If you or someone you love or know is in a dark place, please know you’re not alone and there is help available. Reaching out is a sign of strength, not weakness. There are people ready to listen, ready to walk with you, and ready to help.

If You’re Struggling

If you or someone you love or know is in a dark place, please know you’re not alone and there is help available. Reaching out is a sign of strength, not weakness. There are people ready to listen, ready to walk with you, and ready to help.


Immediate assistance is available:


National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline  

📞 988


Veterans Crisis Line  

📞 1-800-273-8255 (Press 1) | 📱 Text 838255


Survivor Support / Crisis Group  

🌐 https://www.crisishotline.org  📞 832-416-1177

 


💡 If you know someone who needs to hear that they are not alone, share this story. Together, we can create echoes of hope that outlast the pain.


Bonded: A Brother’s Love — One Bullet. A Thousand Echoes.This book is more than my story. It is a voice for every family devastated by suicide and a lifeline for those standing at the edge of despair. My hope is that it reaches the one who needs it most. If even one person chooses life because of it, then every tear and every word will have been worth it. 📖 Order your copy today : https://tinyurl.com/3h87mjy6 and join me in breaking the silence. Together we can spread hope, honor the lost, and change the future.

For more than five decades, I carried this story in silence. Silence nearly broke me, but telling it is what keeps hope alive.


Bonded: A Brother’s Love : One Bullet. A Thousand Echoes my hope is that it offers understanding, connection, and even a reason to hold on when life feels unbearable.



📖 Order your copy today and join me in breaking the silence. Together we can spread hope, honor the lost, and change the future.


For more than five decades, I carried this story in silence. Silence nearly broke me, but telling it is what keeps hope alive. Bonded: A Brother’s Love : One Bullet. A Thousand Echoes my hope is that it offers understanding, connection, and even a reason to hold on when life feels unbearable. 📖 Order your copy today and join me in breaking the silence. Together we can spread hope, honor the lost, and change the future.

 
 
 

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