Supporter Snapshot
Thank you to our 2024 Virginia Chapter Community Walk $10,000 Regional Sponsors!
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Volunteer Spotlight
Amanda Brown Martinez - Bristol Walk Co-chair
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Amanda Martinez - Abingdon
Bead Color: Orange
Amanda founded and currently serves as the Co-Chair for AFSP Virginia's Bristol Out of the Darkness Walk. In this role, she is working to honor her brother's memory by bringing suicide prevention and awareness education and resources to Southwest Virginia. Amanda first became involved with AFSP 11 years ago in Hampton Roads after she lost her brother, Freddie.
When she is not volunteering with AFSP or working, Amanda enjoys spending time with friends and family, and doing arts and crafts. |
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Advocacy Corner
Policy Priorities, Pillar 1
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Policy Priority: Access to Care and Services
Geographic distancing, social isolation, inadequate access to mental health care providers, limited medical facilities, and social stigma can all contribute to suicide risk. |
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AFSP seeks to address these issues and increase access to mental health and substance use (behavioral health) care and services through policy initiatives such as expanding the workforce, enhancing crisis response, and implementing innovative forms of treatment. AFSP also works to eliminate barriers to care and services such as limited or lack of insurance coverage, available providers, and treatment types or settings. AFSP recognizes that connecting individuals with behavioral health services and resources can help to prevent suicide and works to ensure that those services and resources are accessible to all. |
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At Work in Our Community
National Suicide Prevention Month Activities
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We’d like to thank all of our volunteers and hosts who helped us shine a light on prevention this month throughout the commonwealth as we recognized National Suicide Prevention Week and Month.
AFSP Virginia has participated in a total of 45 events and resource tables so far this month, and we have 15 more to go. That's an incredible total of 60 events in one month! And, while this month may be coming to an end, our mission continues to save lives and bring HOPE to those affected by suicide. |
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Walk with Us this Fall
Our first 2024 walk event is THIS SATURDAY!
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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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Finding Hope
Tuesday, Sep. 24th 7:00PM - 8:00PM
Register here
When someone in your life attempts suicide or struggles with suicidal thoughts, it can be difficult to know how to best support them in their recovery. This program was designed to provide you with information, resources, and practical guidance on how to support someone in your life with lived experience of suicide.
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L.E.T.S. Saves Lives (Roanoke)
Wed., Sep. 25th 6:00PM - 7:30PM
Register Here
L.E.T.S. (listening, empathy, trust, support) Save Lives: An Introduction to Suicide Prevention for Black and African American Communities is a presentation created by and for Black people, designed to reduce cultural stigma, foster conversations about mental health, and raise awareness of suicide prevention for individuals who identify as Black or African American. The program is grounded in research and delivered by trained presenters from the Black and African American community. |
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L.E.T.S. Saves Lives (Warrenton)
Fri., Sep. 27th 2:15PM - 3:15PM
Register Here
L.E.T.S. (listening, empathy, trust, support) Save Lives is a presentation created by and for Black people, designed to reduce cultural stigma, foster conversations about mental health, and raise awareness of suicide prevention for individuals who identify as Black or African American. The program delivered by trained presenters from the Black and African American community. |
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Talk Saves Lives (Virtual)
Thursday, Oct. 10th 12:00PM - 1:00PM
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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Talk Saves Lives Seniors (Virtual)
Monday, Oct. 21th 6:00PM - 7:00PM
Register Here
Talk Saves Lives: An Introduction to Suicide Prevention Seniors 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 in senior populations. |
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Table Talk (Online)
Tuesday, Oct. 22nd, 7:00PM - 8:00PM
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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Get to Know Us: A Volunteer Introduction to AFSP Virginia (Online)
Wednesday, Nov. 13th 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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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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