so much our community can come together and get involved in!

[advocating for all]

teen depression, suicide prevention services, advocacy groups, spreading the word and education to de-stigmatize this will better encourage adults and teens to seek help.
A Message From Former Surgeon General Dr. Satcher
Suicide is the third leading cause of death of young people aged 15-24 in the United States. Four thousand suicides occur each year in this age group alone, exacting an enormous toll on our Nation's families and communities. More youth die by suicide than from malignancies, congenital abnormalities and infectious diseases combined -- and these suicides are largely preventable. "Suicide Shouldn't Be a Secret." sends a clear message to teens: it is okay to break the trust of a friend in order to get him or her help for depression and suicide. Research tells us that teens talk with their peers about feeling depressed or suicidal, but these peers often do not know how to help their friends effectively. Our campaign shows teens how to take the next step - the step that sometimes means the difference between life and death. "Suicide Shouldn't Be a Secret" also raises awareness of teen suicide risk factors for parents, grandparents, siblings, teachers, school counselors, coaches and other community members.
Since its launch, AFSP's public service announcements have aired on TV and radio stations around the country. The message is reaching millions. Still, we must do more.
(www.mentalhealth.org/suicideprevention ). These goals and objectives established a comprehensive plan to prevent suicide. Reaching each young person in America with the messages in "Suicide Shouldn't Be a Secret" supports that comprehensive plan. I hope you will make it part of your own comprehensive plan for suicide prevention -- one that involves your entire community in promoting early, effective interventions and healthy development for young people.
Sincerely Yours,
David Satcher, M.D., Ph.D.
.
"Suicide Shouldn't Be A Secret" is the key theme of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's youth suicide prevention campaign.
This campaign includes public service announcements that are currently airing in 85 markets nationwide, reaching over 88 million TV viewers.
The PSAs feature actual teenagers who have had a suicidal friend or have lost a friend to suicide.
These PSAs, along with a resource guide, are now available on this site for you ***A Day of Healing for Survivors of Suicide Loss*** Around the U.S. and the World
On Saturday, November 21, 2009, simultaneous conferences for survivors of suicide loss will take place throughout the U.S. and internationally. This unique network of healing conferences helps survivors connect with others who have survived the tragedy of suicide loss, and express and understand the powerful emotions they experience.Each conference site is organized locally, but they’re all connected in spirit as participants across the globe watch a special 90-minute AFSP broadcast together on that day. conference sites will show the broadcast together from 1-2:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. Many conference sites plan their own local programs around the broadcast, including panels and breakout groups, all aimed at helping survivors heal (This list is continually being updated as new cities sign up.)**** THIS COULD BE US****
For those survivors of suicide loss who don't live near a conference site or who find it difficult to attend in person, the 90-minute broadcast will also be available live on the AFSP website from 1-2:30 pm, Eastern Standard Time, with a live online chat immediately following the program. It will then be saved on the website so that survivors can watch it again throughout the year at anytime.
If you have questions please email [e-mail].
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php...
http://www.outofthedarkness.org/
http://afsp.donordrive.com/index.cfm...

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the info and your effort to bring awareness.