*** September is Suicide Prevention Month ***
MORE THAN 49,000 LIVES ARE LOST TO SUICIDE EACH YEAR IN THE UNITED STATES
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Rallies Communities Nationwide With Walks to Honor Loved Ones and Support Prevention – Find a Walk in Your Area
Suicide has a profound impact on families, leaving many to navigate grief while facing the stigma that too often surrounds mental health. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) works to help people better understand suicide, give them the tools to help others in crisis and address a leading cause of death.
One of the ways AFSP brings communities together is through the Out of the Darkness Community Walks, a nationwide series of events designed to raise awareness and encourage participation in suicide prevention efforts. These walks give people the opportunity to honor loved ones lost to suicide and show support for programs that save lives.
Just ahead of Suicide Prevention Month, on Friday, August 29, AFSP leaders Robert Gebbia and Michael F. Lamma will be available for interviews to discuss how the organization is mobilizing communities, advancing research and fostering connection through events like the Out of the Darkness Walks.
Suggested Questions:
• Tell us about the goals of the Out of the Darkness Walks.
• Where can people find local walks in their community, and how can they get involved?
• What are some warning signs that someone may be in crisis, and how can people start a conversation with someone they are concerned about?
• What types of prevention and support programs are available?
• Where can we go to learn more?
Robert Gebbia serves as the CEO of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, which has become the leading suicide prevention nonprofit organization in the United States. Since joining AFSP, Gebbia has developed a nationwide network of more than 70 chapters and increased AFSP’s annual revenue from $700,000 to over $39 million in support of the mission. In the last five years alone, AFSP has initiated and funded one out of every five studies on suicide – making AFSP the largest private funder of suicide research in the world. In 2015, Gebbia announced AFSP’s bold goal to reduce the annual suicide rate in the U.S. 20 percent by 2025. Gebbia has an extensive background in nonprofit management, strategic planning, fundraising, and program development. Prior to joining AFSP, Gebbia had a successful career with the United Way and served as a Public Health Advisor for the City of New York. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Hofstra University and a master’s degree in Sociology from the New School for Social Research. He completed the Harvard Business School’s Human Services Management Executive Program and IBM’s Leadership Commitment Program for nonprofit executives.
