Aimee B. Prange, MSW, LCSW, a Sr. Clinical Manager and Strategic Planner, and Volunteer for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Greater Philadelphia Chapter discussed their mission and goals, to increase awareness of mental health and prevent deaths by suicide.  We began with a discussion of the numbers, while deaths have decreased in some populations more younger people are now affected by suicide.  She described their outreach programs aimed at youth and children, including peer support and programs for educators and youth leaders for high school and elementary schools.   We spoke of a recent success, the new 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, a free nationwide hotline.  Long authorized, it lagged for funding and local coordination, the Biden-Harris Administration increased federal investments in the 988 lifeline from $24 million to $432 million — to scale up crisis centers and back-up center capacity, and to provide special services, including a sub-network for Spanish language speakers.  She notes it’s more than a number, 988 is a message: we’re there for you with a trained responder available to talk and refer people in crisis or just wanting help for a friend or loved one.  Finally, she offered an invitation to join their mission at the 2022 Greater Philadelphia Chapter’s Out of the Darkness Walk on Sunday October 2nd at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.    All are invited, as an individual, a member of a team or as a volunteer.   For more information about the Philadelphia Chapter, to find the chapter closest to you, or to learn more about the region’s services and other events go to AFSP.org

To sign up for the October 2 Philadelphia Out of the Darkness Walk go to AFSP.org/PHILLYwalk