Suicide Prevention - Who Helps and What You Can Do

Today, September 1, is the first day of National Suicide Prevention Month. Suicide is often a delicate subject, and it's even more worrisome that of the number of deaths caused by suicide in America, 90% is of those undiagnosed with a treatable psychiatric disorder and 22.2% is of our veterans.

Being September, I wanted to get a couple of things out there for everyone. There are several organizations who work for and towards suicide prevention and awareness, including the famous To Write Love on Her Arms (twloha.com/) Foundation. However, a more active organization is the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (www.afsp.org/). I would personally like to bring to everyone's attention that they have several walks throughout the year that raise suicide awareness and money. They are focused on offering educational programs for professionals, educating the public on mood swings and mental disorders, promoting policies that impact both suicide and prevention, and providing programs and resources for those who have lost loved ones to suicide, as well as to those at risk. They work towards everything we as individuals can't always provide to those at risk.

Here in Alabama, they are hosting a walk in Daphne on October 17, which I will be attending. (afsp.donordrive.com/index.cfm?…)

There are opportunities at both for you to either volunteer or walk, and you are not required to donate to help out, although it is much appreciated. When you register for a walk, you are given a personal donation page  you can find mine at afsp.donordrive.com/index.cfm?… fancy, I know)

And for those of you who don't live in Southern AL area like I do, you can find all of the walks at afsp.donordrive.com/index.cfm?…)