Supporter Snapshot
Madam State President Kim Diehl, Virginia Eagles Ladies Auxiliary
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Madam State President Kim Diehl of the Virginia Fraternal Order of Eagles Eagles Ladies Auxiliary has selected the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Virginia Chapter as her charity of choice for her leadership term. We were honored to attend her installation celebration in Danville in June, and we've had the opportunity to spend time with her on several occasions since. We appreciate the fundraising effort currently under way, and we are very excited to be collaborating on opportunities to share education and resources with membership across the state. Together, we are saving lives! |
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Volunteer Spotlight
Mackenzie Worster - Volunteer Coordinator
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Mackenzie Worster - Virginia Beach
Bead Colors: Blue, Green, Teal
Mackenzie Worster currently serves as the Volunteer Coordinator within the Volunteerism Committee for AFSP Virginia. In this role, she is a bridges between volunteer applications and chapter leaders who are seeking help. This makes Mackenzie one of the first people that our future volunteers communicate with. We are so grateful to have her service as we continue to refine our processes within the Volunteerism Committee so that volunteer onboarding is personable, and efficient.
When she is not volunteering with AFSP or working, Mackenzie spends her time in school, pursuing the qualifications to become a history teacher. |
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Advocacy Corner
Policy Priorities, Pillar 1
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Policy Priority: Research, Surveillance, Data Collection, and Infastructure
Designing and implementing effective national and state suicide prevention strategies requires a comprehensive understanding of who is dying by suicide and when. It also requires knowledge of suicide risk and protective factors and the most effective prevention, intervention, and treatment practices within specific populations and settings – all of which are gained through conducting suicide-specific research. |
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AFSP has long advocated for and continues to prioritize increased funding for suicide-specific research and data collection methods that advance our current understanding of suicide and suicidal behavior. AFSP also prioritizes working with federal agencies, states, and partner organizations to help build and sustain suicide prevention infrastructure that translates this research into practice and at scale. |
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At Work in Our Community
National Suicide Prevention Week is Coming Soon!
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We’d like to share the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s upcoming plans for National Suicide Prevention Month this September, including National Suicide Prevention Week, September 8 – 14.
We are asking asking our supporters to amplify our Walk with Us campaign, which we will be highlighting throughout the month by encouraging people to attend an AFSP Out of the Darkness Community Walk.
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Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in the U.S. According to the most recent CDC reports, in 2022, 49,476 Americans died by suicide, and there were an estimated 1.6 million suicide attempts. But there is reason for HOPE. Research shows suicide can be prevented. And we can ALL play a part in saving lives and supporting those affected by this leading cause of death.
Since 2002, millions of people have attended the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Out of the Darkness Walks in communities across the country, raising awareness of this leading cause of death, and sending the message loud and clear that suicide can no longer exist in the shadows. Across the country, friends, family members, neighbors, and coworkers walk side by side, showing their support for each other as loss survivors, those who struggle, and in memory of those we’ve lost. By walking together, thousands of people each year showcase their resilience while sending a caring message and raising much-needed funds for AFSP initiatives. Funds raised by the Out of the Darkness Walks go toward Suicide Prevention Research, Loss Support Programs, Evidence-informed Education Programs and Suicide Prevention Advocacy.
National Suicide Prevention Month serves as an opportunity to raise awareness and understanding so that people can take action and make a difference in their communities. By joining an Out of the Darkness Community Walk and walking with others, countless individuals find comfort in knowing they are not alone, and that we are connected through great purpose to healing and support.
Throughout September, on our website afsp.org and through our social media channels @afspnational, we will be sharing social posts and graphics you can use to help spread the word throughout your network and encourage others to do the same; articles from AFSP’s Real Stories blog that highlight the impact the Out of the Darkness Walks regularly make on individuals and communities; and hosting virtual events. For information on event updates throughout the month, check out AFSP’s national events calendar here. For local chapter programs and events, search here.
You can find our collection of Community Walks Fundraising Graphics here, which you can use to help spread the word, and encourage more people to join the Community Walks and make a difference.
We’d love your support and amplification of our message. YOU can help make an impact by spreading the word throughout your network. Make sure to tag @afspnational and use the hashtag #OutOfTheDarkness across all social media platforms, and learn more about the campaign. |
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Walk with Us this Fall!
Join us as we come together to save lives.
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2024 Virginia Chapter Community Walks
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Upcoming Events & Opportunities
We hope you'll join us!
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Table Talk
Saturday, Aug 17th 10:00AM - 11:00AM
Register here
Table Talk: An Introduction to Outreach Events is an opportunity to learn how to staff outreach and tabling events for the Virginia Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. We will review common materials, share tips and best practices, and review our tabling guidelines.
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Chapter Wide Fundraising Session
Monday, Aug 19th 12:00PM - 1:00PM
Register here
Table Talk: An Introduction to Outreach Events is an opportunity to learn how to staff outreach and tabling events for the Virginia Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. We will review common materials, share tips and best practices, and review our tabling guidelines.
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Talk Saves Lives (Virtual)
Monday, Aug 19th 6:00PM - 7:00PM
Register Here
Talk Saves Lives: An Introduction to Suicide Prevention is a community-based presentation that covers the general scope of suicide, the research on prevention, and what people can do to fight suicide. Participants will learn common risk factors and warning signs associated with suicide, and how to keep themselves and others safe.
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Chapter Wide Fundraising Session
Wednesday, Aug 21st 6:30PM - 7:30PM
Register here
Table Talk: An Introduction to Outreach Events is an opportunity to learn how to staff outreach and tabling events for the Virginia Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. We will review common materials, share tips and best practices, and review our tabling guidelines.
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Talk Saves Lives (Virtual)
Tuesday, Aug 27th 7:00PM - 8:00PM
Register Here
Talk Saves Lives: An Introduction to Suicide Prevention is AFSP’s 60-minute flagship suicide prevention education program that covers the scope of this leading cause of death, what the research has found to be the warning signs and risk factors of suicide, and the strategies that prevent it. |
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Halo 2 Charity Tournament (In Person, Richmond)
Saturday, August 31st 7:00PM - 9:00PM
Register Here
Answer Brewpub
6008 West Broad Street
Richmond, VA
Join us for a Halo 2 Charity Tournament. Check In at 2PM, game play at 3PM. Entry fee = proof of a $5 minimum donation to afsp.org/richmond.
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Rock Out the Stigma (In Person, Staunton)
Saturday, Sept 7th 7:00PM - 9:00PM
No Registration Required
Ciders from Mars
121 S. Lewis St.
Staunton, VA
Join us for Rock Out the Stigma. a fundrasier for AFSP Virginia, and the NEW In Bloom blueberry cider release!
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Talk Saves Lives - Latinx & Hispanic Communities (Virtual)
Thursday, September 12th 6:00PM - 7:00PM
Register Here
Talk Saves Lives: An Introduction to Suicide Prevention for Latinx and Hispanic Communities is a community presentation that covers what we know about this leading cause of death, the most up-to-date research on prevention, and the strategies that can help save lives. |
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Get to Know Us: A Volunteer Introduction to AFSP Virginia (Online)
Monday, September 16th 7:00PM - 8:00PM
Register Here
Get to Know Us: A Volunteer Introduction is an opportunity to discover the Virginia Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, learn about its mission, and explore which volunteer roles you would enjoy. Register below to join us for this casual introductory conversation.
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LivingWorks ASIST (In Person, Forest)
Thu & Fri, September 19th & 20th, 8:00AM - 5:00PM
Register Here
LivingWorks ASIST is a two-day, two-trainer, workshop designed for members of all caregiving groups. Family, friends, and other community members may be the first to talk with a person at risk, but have little or no training. ASIST can also provide those in formal helping roles with professional development to ensure that they are prepared to provide suicide first aid help as part of the care they provide. |
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LivingWorks safeTALK (In Person, Luray)
Monday, September 23rd, 9:30AM - 1:00PM
Register Here
LivingWorks safeTALK is a half-day alertness training that prepares anyone 15 or older, regardless of prior experience or training, to become a suicide-alert helper. Most people with thoughts of suicide don’t truly want to die, but are struggling with the pain in their lives. Through their words and actions, they invite help to stay alive. safeTALK-trained helpers can recognize these invitations and take action by connecting them with life-saving intervention resources. |
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AFSP Virginia Chapter
PO Box 333
Midlothian, VA 23113
AFSP Virginia Chapter Board
Chair: Winter Brooks (Stephens City)
Vice Chair: Matthew Austin (Moseley)
President: Dr. Cassie Glenn (Virginia Beach)
Treasurer: Sean Higdon (Broadway)
Secretary: Shannon Sullivan (Ruther Glen)
Briddge (Virginia Beach)
Lorrie Eanes (Danville)
Kevin Long (Bridgewater)
Katherine Martinez (Virginia)
Robert Noriega (Richmond)
Ronald North, Jr. (Waynesboro)
Shirley Ramsey (Glen Allen)
Scott Stevens (Christiansburg)
Carl Trost (Staunton)
AFSP Virginia Programs Manager
Markita Madden
mmadden@afsp.org
AFSP Virginia Special Events Manager
Emily Bacalis
ebacalis@afsp.org
AFSP Virginia Executive Director
Kathe Goller, CVA
kgoller@afsp.org
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American Foundation for Suicide Prevention 199 Water Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10038 |
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