Agency Details:

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) is the leading national not-for-profit organization exclusively dedicated to understanding and preventing suicide through research and education, and to reaching out to people with mood disorders and those impacted by suicide.

Description:
Covering the 19 Western most counties of New York State, our Chapter seeks to prevent the loss of life by suicide through education, research, and outreach. Sadly, one in every 25 lives lost to suicide in this country is a resident of New York State. Our Chapter hopes to play a vital role in preventing the loss of life by suicide in Western New York.

Since the early formation of the Chapter in February of 2006, our members have worked to raise public awareness of suicide, suicide prevention, and mental illness through collaboration, outreach, and education in the Western NY region. We have also worked to erase the stigma that overshadows suicide and mental illness. As a Chapter, we have been involved in several different suicide prevention initiatives.

History:
In 1987, a number of leading experts on suicide came together with business and community leaders and survivors of suicide to form AFSP, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. They believed that only a combined effort would make it possible to fund the research necessary for progress in the prevention of suicide. Such an approach has proven successful with heart disease, cancer and diabetes and it was hoped that it would be successful in dealing with depression and suicide.

Many of our original founders were concerned with the alarming rise in youth suicide over the past four decades. During this period, the suicide of young men had tripled; that of young women had doubled. Suicide is now the second major cause of death among high school and college students.

Suicide is even more frequent among older people. The highest rates are found in men over 50. Before the AFSP was formed, there was no national not-for-profit organization dedicated to funding the research, education and treatment programs necessary to prevent suicide. Over the past 20 years, we have changed that.

The Western New York Chapter of AFSP was formally chartered in August of 2007. ***While the Chapter leadership is based in Rochester, we are seeking volunteers throughout the Western NY and the Finger Lakes areas. ***

Contact people:

Christyn Sanagursky, Volunteer Coordinator, (phone), (email) Renae Carapella, Area Coordinator, (phone), (email)

Address:

PO Box 1445 Amherst, NY 14226