National Suicide Prevention Week || AFSP

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Talk away the dark

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• Real Stories
• Get Help
• Make a Difference
• Join a Local Chapter
• Learn the Facts

Click to visit AFSP's homepage

• Real Stories
• Get Help
• Make a Difference
• Join a Local Chapter
• Learn the Facts

Talking is the first step to preventing suicide.

We might worry that saying the wrong thing will make it worse. So, we end up not saying anything – even though a few kind words can make the difference in connecting someone to help or supporting someone who experienced a suicide loss.

It's time we shed a light on this leading cause of death.It's time we talk away the dark.

How to Talk Away the Dark

Suicide is a topic that hides in the shadows. All too often it goes unaddressed, even when we may sense someone is struggling.

You can make a difference by learning the warning signs, knowing the risk factors, and bravely having a REAL open and honest conversation with someone you care about. Learn more with AFSP's tools, resources and creative ways to help #TalkAwayTheDark.

• Guías para una #RealConvo

  Más información Más información guías para una #realconvo

• Healing Conversations

  Learn more Learn more healing conversations

• Conversation starters

  Learn more Learn more conversation starters

• Real stories

  Learn more Learn more real stories

• #RealConvo guides

  Learn more Learn more #realconvo guides

ShareTalk Away the Dark.

Become a part of the campaign by sharing resources like images, videos, and social media carousels.

Help us spread the word as we help others Talk Away the Dark.

Find and download resources

Resources to start the conversation

• Reaching out for help

  Learn more Learn more reaching out for help

• How to start (and continue!) a conversation about mental health

  Learn more Learn more how to start (and continue!) a conversation about mental health

• If someone tells you they are thinking about suicide

  Learn more Learn more if someone tells you they are thinking about suicide

• How to talk to a suicide loss survivor

  Learn more Learn more how to talk to a suicide loss survivor

• Connecting someone to help (when they’re hesitant)

  Learn more Learn more connecting someone to help (when they’re hesitant)

Real stories

• 

  Papa Roach’s “Leave A Light On (Talk Away The Dark)” with proceeds going to AFSP, reached #1 on the charts!

  Learn more Learn more about papa roach’s “leave a light on (talk away the dark)” with proceeds going to afsp, reached #1 on the charts!
• 

  Growing up Transgender in the South: Legislative Attacks, Suicide Prevention, and Advocating for a Path Forward

  Learn more Learn more about growing up transgender in the south: legislative attacks, suicide prevention, and advocating for a path forward
• 

  Suicide Does Not Discriminate: Normalizing the Conversation Around Suicide in the Black and African American Community

  Learn more Learn more about suicide does not discriminate: normalizing the conversation around suicide in the black and african american community
• 

  If Anyone Asks, This Was an Accident: Why We Have to Talk Openly About Suicide

  Learn more Learn more about if anyone asks, this was an accident: why we have to talk openly about suicide
• 

  Training to Become a Volunteer Advocate for Suicide Prevention Felt Like a Gift

  Learn more Learn more about training to become a volunteer advocate for suicide prevention felt like a gift
• 

  Vulnerable in My Truth: Making a Difference for Suicide Prevention in Honor of My Father

  Learn more Learn more about vulnerable in my truth: making a difference for suicide prevention in honor of my father
• 

  Teen Suicide Prevention: Helping Our Kids Help Their Friends

  Learn more Learn more about teen suicide prevention: helping our kids help their friends
• 

  It’s Okay to Say Suicide: How We’re Encouraging Conversations in Dentistry and Beyond

  Learn more Learn more about it’s okay to say suicide: how we’re encouraging conversations in dentistry and beyond
• 

  Lessons from Suicide Research: One Man’s Road to Recovery

  Learn more Learn more about lessons from suicide research: one man’s road to recovery
• 

  When My Psychiatrist Father Tried to Kill Himself

  Learn more Learn more about when my psychiatrist father tried to kill himself
• 

  How Will I Explain My Experience with Depression to My Son?

  Learn more Learn more about how will i explain my experience with depression to my son?
• 

  Fighting Loneliness Through Connection

  Learn more Learn more about fighting loneliness through connection
• 

  Are You Okay? (Dr. Matthew Wintersteen)

  Learn more Learn more about are you okay? (dr. matthew wintersteen)
• 

  Advice on Talking to Someone with Suicidal Thoughts...from Someone Who’s Had Suicidal Thoughts

  Learn more Learn more about advice on talking to someone with suicidal thoughts...from someone who’s had suicidal thoughts
• 

  A #RealConvo Video: Comedian Gary Gulman on the Importance of Reaching Out

  Learn more Learn more about a #ralconvo video: comedian gary gulman on the importance of reaching out
• 

  Men’s Mental Health Month: Six Mental Health Tips for the Dudes in Your Life

  Learn more Learn more about mental health month: six mental health tips for the dudes in your life
• 

  I’m Your Canvas: Four Tips on How to Have a #RealConvo with a Friend

  Learn more Learn more about i’m your canvas: four tips on how to have a #realconvo with a friend
• 

  Depression Tried to Take My Mom. She and My Dad Fought Back.

  Learn more Learn more about depression tried to take my mom. she and my dad fought back.

Recursos para iniciar la conversación

• Cómo buscar ayuda

  Más información Más información cómo buscar ayuda

• Si alguien te dice que está pensando en el suicidio

  Más información Más información si alguien te dice que está pensando en el suicidio

• Cómo hablar con una persona sobreviviente de pérdidas por suicidio

  Más información Más información cómo hablar con una persona sobreviviente de pérdidas por suicidio

• Buscar ayuda para alguien (que tiene dudas)

  Más información Más información buscar ayuda para alguien (que tiene dudas)

• Cómo iniciar (¡y continuar!) una conversación sobre salud mental

  Más información Más información cómo iniciar (¡y continuar!) una conversación sobre salud mental

Talk Away the Dark conversation starters for you and your loved ones.

• How do you feel about the future, even if it's just tomorrow?
• What is one thing you are looking forward to?
• Who do you reach out to when you need someone to be there for you?
• Who is one person who makes you feel seen?
• What coping strategies helped you?
• How do you seek a sense of security?
• How do you practice self-care?
• What are some things that make you feel stressed?
• How do you ground yourself and decompress?
• What makes you feel supported?
• Who do you reach out to when you need someone to be there for you?
• What is one time you were filled with love?

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