Kat Olbrich, Maryland and Delaware Area Director, and Kim Fennemore, AFSP Board Member and Walk Chair, discussed their campaign, Be The Voice,  describing how talking about suicide and mental health issues can help save lives.  Kat discussed how to bring up a conversation and what to say when to a friend, family member or coworker who may be struggling, and how to help if they are in trouble.  They discussed the work of the AFSP in advocacy for mental healthcare, education and services for families affected by it.   We also looked at the warning signs – talk, behavior changes and mood – and who at risk, including those with health issues, an unhealthy environment or with a history of threats or possible attempts.   Kat gave us numbers, ninety percent of the people who die by suicide have a mental disorder at the time of their death, for every one death by suicide there are 25 attempts made.  Finally, we discussed the upcoming Out of Darkness Walks, September 15th in Dover and October 21st in Wilmington, register at the AFSP website, afsp.org.

If you are in crisis, or in immediate danger please call 911.  If you are in need of help now, call the 24 hour National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK. You can also text TALK to 741741 to speak with a trained counselor.

For The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention chapter near you r for more information about the More Than Sad school program, their speakers bureau or for the Warning Signs and Who’s At Risk materials, visit AFSP.org