Sonya Bohmann,  Board Chair of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, discussed their mission of research, education and prevention and support.  We discussed new data, suicide has now become the 11th leading cause of death for adults, up from 12th, with rates for youth rising – depending on the state, to 2nd to 6th leading cause of death. 

She spoke about programs aimed at communities with higher rates but less open conversation, including their L.E.T.S. Save Lives: An Introduction to Suicide Prevention for Black and African American Communities, a presentation created by and for Black people to reduce cultural stigma and raise awareness for individuals who identify as Black or African American.  She also discussed AFSP free programing for students, from Gizmo the dog talking about ‘big feelings’ to younger children, to middle and high-school programs that encourage conversation and listening skills.  She recommends the website Seize the Awkward for guidance on reaching students and young adults.

We talked about 988, now in its second year. She described its funding and the teams answering calls or texts, always a trained counselor, and in many larger cities, a trained mobile response crew.  She notes that older resources, such as 741741, are still operational, too.

She asked for volunteers, anyone can help, either through sharing their own lived experience or by helping with events.  Visit the AFSP website for more information.

We talked about the 20th annual Out of the Darkness Walk, October 6th at a new site, The Mann Center, with its plenty of free parking and beautiful grounds.  Walk-ups are welcome, but you’re encouraged to register now, as an individual or as a team.  If you can’t walk, you can select a team to support for the walk website, AFSP.ORG/PHILLYWALK    Andie Summers of The Andie Summers Show on Beasley Media Group’s 92.5 XTU will be the emcee.

AFSP has added a Kick Off to the Walk where team captains come to pick up their t-shirts, signs, and more for the walk to start rallying their team and all can ‘Dine and Donate.’   On July 17th between 4pm-10pm, everyone is invited to the Texas Roadhouse in Montgomeryville, Downingtown, or Glen Mills, team captains can pick up their gear for the walk and everyone is able to donate through their dining check.  Bring a FLYER posted at 925XTU.com  or AFSP.ORG/PHILLYWALK’s website, and 10% of your total bill at Texas Roadhouse will go back to AFSP.

For more information about AFSP visit AFSP.org.