AFSP, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, is hosting a number of virtual presentations over the next two months. If you aspire to get further educated on mental health and suicide prevention, check out the sessions below and pre-register to participate.
Upcoming AFSP Virtual Presentations
The AFSP virtual presentations are free, but pre-registration is required. Please use the corresponding links to register.
Tuesday, March 5, 2024
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Introduction to Supporting Those At Risk
When someone in your life attempts suicide or experiences suicidal thoughts, it can be difficult to know how to best support them in their recovery. Introduction to Supporting Those At Risk is designed to provide you with information and resources on how to support someone in your life with lived experience. In the context of this presentation, the term “lived experience” refers to someone's experience with suicidal thoughts and/or a past suicide attempt.
Wednesday, March 6, 2024
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Finding Hope: Guidance for Supporting Those at Risk
When someone in your life attempts suicide or struggles with suicidal thoughts, it can be difficult to know how to best support them in their recovery. Whether you are a family member, close friend, co-worker, neighbor, or other caring person of someone with lived experience, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention wants to help you understand and navigate this process.
This program was designed to provide you with information, resources, and practical guidance on how to support someone in your life with lived experience of suicide. The following topics will be addressed as part of this program:
Understanding Suicide
Providing Support during the Recovery Process
Understanding the Perspective of the Suicidal Person
Identifying an Individual’s Warning Signs
Safety Planning
Making the Environment Safe
How to check-in with your loved one
Learning about Treatment Options
Responding to a Crisis
Self-Care
Suggested Participants:
This program is intended for those who care about and are supporting another person with lived experience (i.e. someone who has made a suicide attempt, struggles with suicidal thoughts currently or in the past, or both). While the program may benefit those with lived experience of suicide themselves, the content is focusing on providing support to others. AFSP understands that attendees interested in learning to best support those they care about may also have their own lived experience.
Wednesday, March 20, 2024
6 pm - 7 pm
It's Real: Teens and Mental Health
Intended for high school classes or community settings with groups of teens, ages from 14 to 18, It’s Real: Teens and Mental Health is a 45-minute program that provides young people with mental health education and resources. The program raises awareness about mental health issues, how to start a conversation about mental health, the importance of self-care, and how to reach out for help.
Tuesday, March 26
12:30 pm - 1:30 pm
Talk Saves Lives: A Brief Introduction to Suicide Prevention
Talk Saves Lives: An Introduction to Suicide Prevention is a community-based presentation that covers the general scope of suicide, the research on prevention, and what people can do to fight suicide. Participants will learn common risk factors and warning signs associated with suicide, and how to keep themselves and others safe.
Wednesday, March 27, 2024
6 pm - 7:30 pm
Talk Saves Lives: Latinx (Presented in English)
Talk Saves Lives: An Introduction to Suicide Prevention for Latinx and Hispanic Communities is a community presentation that covers what we know about this leading cause of death, the most up-to-date research on prevention, and the strategies that can help save lives.
Following this presentation, participants should be able to:
Describe the scope of the problem of suicide within Latinx and Hispanic Communities
Describe suicide risk and protective factors specific to Latinx and Hispanic Communities
Describe warning signs of suicide
Explain how to get help for yourself or someone in a suicidal crisis
Explain how to seek and offer support for yourself or others
Tuesday, April 30, 2024
12 pm - 1:30 pm
L.E.T.S. Save Lives: An Introduction to Suicide Prevention for the Black Community
L.E.T.S. (listening, empathy, trust, support) Save Lives: An Introduction to Suicide Prevention for the Black Community is a presentation that covers what we know about mental health and suicide, the most up-to-date research on prevention, and what we can all do to help save lives.
Following this presentation, participants should be able to:
Understand the scope of suicide among the Black and African American population.
Understand the racial and systemic factors that impact suicide in Black and African American communities.
Describe suicide risk and protective factors for Black and African American communities.
Describe warning signs of suicide.
Learn how to get help for someone in a suicidal crisis.
Gain confidence in talking to someone about suicide.
This presentation was developed by suicide prevention experts from the Black community and is intended for audiences that identify as Black or African American. This program will be delivered by trained presenters from the Black community.