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January 2015 Washington Chapter
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Vol 2, Issue 5
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HAPPY NEW YEAR!
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We are a volunteer organization passionate about suicide prevention and suicide loss support. Our community would not be what it is without each and every one of you, so
THANK YOU ALL: walkers, event attendees and fundraisers; event volunteers; our suicide prevention education trainers and participants; our suicide loss outreach program volunteers; our media volunteers; our speakers committee volunteers; and our
legislative advocates. You rock!
We also want to thank those of you who continue to be vocal in your own communities about the need to talk about suicide. The more we are open, the more others will know they are not alone. These conversations are key to help our family and friends know it is OK to reach out. This awareness is paramount in the fight to end suicide.
We look forward to more great work in 2015 and hope you will join us! We need your passion, your talents and your time.
Best wishes,
Your Washington Chapter Volunteer Board of Directors
Todd, Cristi, Heather and Kaysi
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What a Year! 2014 Walks Success!
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Thank You Washington State!
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In this Issue:
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2014 Highlights: Out of the Darkness Walks, Seahawks Recognition, The Overnight, Survivor Day, Welcomes
2015 News:
FREE: Survivor Support
& Suicide Prevention Training
HELP NEEDED: Party for Prevention & Other Teams
LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
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Survivor Support
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Have you lost a loved one to suicide? Our Survivor Outreach Program offers in-home visits and support from others who have been there. Please contact:
Sarah Delp, Volunteer Program Coordinator
253-778-6287
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Volunteers Needed
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Would you like to volunteer for AFSP? Volunteers are very important to the success of our work in suicide prevention and suicide loss support. Please fill out this form. Committees include advocacy, education, events, media, suicide loss support and more.
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Welcomes!
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We are a volunteer led organization, so we are very thankful for our dedicated Board of Directors and hard-working volunteers.
We recently welcomed new Board Member Kaysi Kelly and new Suicide Outreach Program Coordinator Sara Delp. We also thank you, our supporters, from the bottom of our hearts for all that you do with AFSP. If you are interested in joining our volunteer community, please fill out this form.
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Your Fundraising Dollars at Work in 2015!
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We are working hard to put your fundraising dollars to work throughout the state of Washington. Thanks to your financial support, we have suicide prevention and mental health training programs available. More details below.
to stay up to date with training events happening throughout Washington State in 2015.
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ASIST Training Openings in Spokane January 15-16!
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We have an Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) in Spokane January 15-16. This 2-day suicide prevention training is FREE to participants. We still have a few openings. If you'd like to attend, register at: http://tinyurl.com/AFSP-ASIST
NOTE: Stay Tuned in 2015 for a Seattle-area ASIST training. At this time we are seeking a location/dates.
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safeTALK Suicide Alertness Training-Seeking Locations
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We are seeking locations for safeTALK, a FREE 3-hour suicide alertness training approved for teens 15+ and adults.
This session prepares participants to identify persons with thoughts of suicide, and connect them to suicide first-aid resources. Most people with thoughts of suicide invite help to stay safe. Alert helpers know how to use these opportunities to support that desire for safety.
If your company, organization, church or school is interested in hosting an event at no cost to you, please contact us at [email protected].
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Coming in 2015: Mental Health First Aid Training
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AFSP is partnering with the National Council for Behavioral Health to train community members in Mental Health First Aid. This FREE 8 hour course covers how to help someone who is developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. Participants of all ages will learn: 
- Risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems.
- Information on depression, anxiety, trauma, psychosis, and addiction disorders.
- A 5-step action plan to help someone developing a mental health problem or in crisis.
- Where to turn for help - professional, peer, and self-help resources.
If your company, organization, church or school is interested in hosting an event at no cost to you, please contact us at [email protected].
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Party for Prevention Planning Committee Needs YOU!
| Did you attend our 2014 Masquerade Party for Prevention Auction? What a fun event! We are currently ramping up planning for this May 2015 event. 
Would you like to volunteer your time to join our planning committee? Are you interested in helping with soliciting of donations for auction, event marketing and coordination? We need you! This lovely evening event is fully planned by dedicated volunteers who meet monthly. They work individually and as a group to make our annual auction a success. Please email Kaysi Kelly at [email protected] to join the team or if you or your company would like to donate a product or service for our silent auctions. |
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Honored by our Championship Seahawks in 2014!
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In 2014, our Washington Chapter was chosen as March Charity of the Month by the Bonneville Seattle Media Group and our own Champion Seattle Seahawks.
In August, board members Cristi and Heather represented our chapter on the field of a Seahawks pre-season game. It was quite an honor to be among many of our state's most important charities and organizations, and reach such a broad audience in our state.
Thank you Bonneville Media Group and the Seattle Seahawks!
P.S. Go Hawks! We hope to see you in the 2015 Big Game!
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International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day Events: 2014
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 Thank you to Crisis Clinic Seattle for co-hosting our 2014 International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day Event in Seattle, and to the other community event organizers throughout our state.
If you are interested in hosting a Survivor Day Event in 2015, please email [email protected].
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The Overnight in 2014!
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 We were so thrilled and honored to be host city for one of the 2014 Out of the Darkness Overnight Walks last summer. Many of our chapter volunteers participated as staff, crew and walkers, and we are grateful to each and every one of you. We once again welcome those of you who are new to AFSP!
How incredible it was to see 2,200 people on both coasts, first here in Seattle June 14-15 and then in Philadelphia June 28-29, walk a combined 33+ miles for suicide prevention. This year's walks together raised more than $3.2 million dollars to help fund AFSP's continued efforts to prevent suicide through research, advocacy, education and survivor support.
If you walked in The Overnight in Seattle, and have not had a chance to participate in one of our local Washington State community walks or events, please consider joining us 2015. Stay tuned, and please follow us on social media to stay up to date!
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2015 AFSP Leadership Conference
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Later this month, representatives from our chapter are headed to Atlanta for the 2015 AFSP Leadership Conference. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet other chapters around the country, share our learnings, and hear about new activities and programs coming soon within the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention communities.
Stay tuned to our social media channels for live updates from this important event!
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Newsletter questions or comments? Contact [email protected]
If you or someone you know is in a crisis, please call 800-273-TALK or visit the
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