Washington, D.C. (November 12, 2020): The American Association of Suicidology (AAS) is proud to host AAS21, its 54th Annual Conference, April 21 – 24, 2021. The conference will take place via a unique format – both in person in Orlando, Florida at the Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista Hotel and also virtually for those across the globe. This hybrid approach will enable AAS to critically broaden its conference impact at such a pivotal time. At its annual conference, AAS provides the time and space for everyone – clinicians, researchers, those with lived experience, public health officials, and others – to connect and learn about ways in which we can all address the rising rate of suicide in the US and abroad while also discovering ways to create a world worth living in.
“AAS21 will be unlike any conference we have ever hosted. Our plan to host live sessions in Orlando along with virtual sessions will afford the opportunity to provide the same content expected at an AAS conference,” said Becky Stoll, AAS21 Conference Chair and AAS Crisis Services Division Chair. “We are doing everything in our power to host a portion of the conference in person if it is safe to do so and we also know how to successfully pivot if necessary.”
AAS21 will focus on blending diverse content, including new and innovative research and intervention practices. The conference will meet the needs of the field’s diverse audience while convening world leaders in suicide prevention to spur robust conversations and to build collaborations to achieve our shared vision and goal. AAS21 will bring balance and stability to a field that has experienced a tremendous amount of change and growth in the last year, relying on the cross-pollination of specialties and expertise of attendees to break down barriers and silos that have traditionally stalled effective solutions. True, effective, public health and socially-focused suicide prevention requires everyone’s voice to find a path forward, while continuing to recognizing the accomplishments of past science and research. The field must move from reactionary efforts to effective implementation of research, prevention, and treatment.
“We know that people are able to recover and grow after a crisis. The global crises of 2020 have disrupted our norms, but they also provide an opportunity for innovative solutions like offering the field a hybrid conference,” said DeQuincy Lezine, AAS21 Program Chair and AAS Attempt Survivor and Lived Experience Division Chair. “AAS has always sought to bring people together so that the knowledge from professional and personal experience can be applied to address suicide, and the world needs that more than ever. AAS21 will enable us to safely and effectively bring expertise to the table from around the world.”
In 2018 (the latest year for which we have finalized data) there were 48,344 suicide deaths in the US, an age adjusted rate of 14.2 per 100,000 population. In the same year there were nearly 1.2 million suicide attempts. Unfortunately, we don’t know how the recent pandemic and instances of civil unrest will affect suicide deaths in the US and abroad, but it is our responsibility to take action now. By hosting this conference, AAS holds suicidologists and the field at large to a higher standard in how we care for our fellow humans. More information about AAS21 can be found here.
“I’m really excited about the design and structure of this year’s conference as there is something for everyone. From the key in-person networking and conversations that are integral to spurring new collaborative projects to the broadened reach that online options provide, this hybrid approach will not disappoint” said Colleen Creighton, CEO of AAS.
For the Media: Responsible reporting on suicide, including stories of hope and resilience, can prevent more suicides. Please visit the Suicide Reporting Recommendations for more information. For additional information, please visit SuicideReportingToolkit.com.
About AAS: The American Association of Suicidology is the world’s largest membership-based suicide prevention organization. Founded in 1968 by Edwin S. Shneidman, PhD, AAS promotes the research of suicide and its prevention, public awareness programs, public education and training for professionals and volunteers. The membership of AAS includes mental health and public health professionals, researchers, suicide prevention and crisis intervention centers, school districts, crisis center professionals, survivors of suicide loss, attempt survivors, and a variety of laypersons who have in interest in suicide prevention. You can learn more about AAS at www.suicidology.org.
Washington, D.C. (November 3, 2020): The American Association of Suicidology (AAS) is pleased to announce that Victor Armstrong, Director of the NC Division of Mental Health at North Carolina DHHS, Developmental Disabilities, Substance Abuse Services, has joined its Board of Directors. With over 30 years of experience in human services, Victor has spent his career dedicated to building and strengthening community resources to serve individuals living with mental illness.
“In addition to a passion for suicide prevention, I also bring to the board, experience in systems management, public policy, and working to raise awareness of suicide and suicide prevention in historically marginalized communities,” said Mr. Armstrong. “We have a great deal of work to do in bringing political influence to the work we do, and in doing so with a lens toward eradicating suicide for all people, including those impacted by longstanding health disparities.”
Victor also serves on the board of directors of American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) NC. He is also former board chair of NAMI NC, and a member of NASW-NC. Victor is a former member of the Board of Directors of National Council for Behavioral Health, i2i Center for Integrative Health, and RI International.
“I am personally excited to welcome Victor Armstrong to the board,” said Anthony Wood, AAS Board Chair. “Not only is Mr. Armstrong well-known for his leadership in suicide prevention, both at the state and national levels, but I also have great respect for the work that he’s accomplished. He’s a welcome addition to our board leadership.”
Victor’s awards and recognitions include 2019 Black Mental Health Symposium – Mental Health Advocate of the Year, 2019 Atrium Health Excellence in Diversity & Inclusion Award, 2018 Distinguished Alumni Award from East Carolina University School of Social Work, Pride Magazine 2018 “Best of the Best”, and i2i Center for Integrative Health 2018 Innovation Award for “Whole Person Care”, 2012 National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) NC, Mental Health Professional of the Year.
AAS is dedicated to providing representation that effectively communicates the needs and goals of its membership. By continuing to include a diverse roster of individuals who can address these components, AAS, its divisions and committees, and its Board of Directors work strategically to create programs focused on ending suicide in this country and throughout the world.
For the Media: Responsible reporting on suicide, including stories of hope and resilience, can prevent more suicides. Please visit the Suicide Reporting Recommendations for more information. For additional information, please visit SuicideReportingToolkit.com.
About AAS: The American Association of Suicidology is the world’s largest membership-based suicide prevention organization. Founded in 1968 by Edwin S. Shneidman, PhD, AAS promotes the research of suicide and its prevention, public awareness programs, public education and training for professionals and volunteers. The membership of AAS includes mental health and public health professionals, researchers, suicide prevention and crisis intervention centers, school districts, crisis center professionals, survivors of suicide loss, attempt survivors, and a variety of laypersons who have in interest in suicide prevention. You can learn more about AAS at www.suicidology.org.
Washington, D.C. (November 2, 2020): The novel coronavirus and COVID-19 continue to wreak havoc on the public health of the United States. With more than 230,000 deaths due to the virus, current political events, and the nature of the circumstances surrounding every day life, it is understandable that many Americans are feeling anxious, scared, depressed, uncertain, and perhaps experiencing thoughts of suicide. Despite the rhetoric being shared in certain political circles, via celebrities, and in social media posts, the American Association of Suicidology (AAS) would like to assure the American public that while rates for suicide continue to pose a serious issue for the people of this country (we lost more than 48,000 people to suicide in 2018), the national rate of deaths by suicide have not surpassed the rate of COVID-related deaths at this time. In fact, data from some locations indicate that rates have been decreasing during the pandemic.
“When we look at the national death rates, I don’t think that there has been a single month since April 2020 when there were more suicide deaths than COVID-related deaths in the USA,” said Jonathan Singer, PhD, President of AAS. “I would be able to tell you definitively if we had real-time tracking of suicide deaths in the USA, but we don’t.”
Suicide remains a tremendous public health issue, ranking as the 10th leading cause of death in the US. We lose 132 people a day to suicide, with substantially more people attempting suicide. Suicide prevention should be seen as a priority in terms of funding for research, prevention, and intervention. Developing and funding a national level, real-time reporting system is essential in understanding how events impact suicide rates. While certain states and municipalities are able to retrieve some preliminary real-time data regarding suicide deaths through partnerships with local medical examiners and coroners, nothing similar exists at a national level. AAS wholeheartedly advocates for creating a world worth living in, which includes feeling safe, protected, and cared for during periods of time when everyone’s health is at risk.
“While suicide and suicide rates have most certainly increased in the last couple decades, a higher level in 2020 for suicide than for COVID is unreasonable and logically must be inaccurate,” said John McIntosh, PhD, suicide statistics expert and Professor Emeritus of Psychology at Indiana University South Bend. “Suicide is currently the 10th leading cause of death and COVID’s current levels are only exceeded by heart disease and cancer (for 2018: 655,000 and 599,000, respectively, with accidents 4th at 167,000 deaths).”
As a public health organization, AAS feels it necessary to implore others to take the novel coronavirus and COVID-19 seriously: continue to wear masks in public, physically distance from others when necessary, wash your hands and use hand sanitizer, and avoid touching your face. Our vigilance in this matter will go a long way in curbing the spread of the virus and save lives. While we are doing our part in lessening the consequences of the outbreak, we can continue to check in on our loved ones, be kind to those we interact with, and make connections stronger. We can all continue to play a role in suicide prevention while creating a safer world to live in.
For the Media: Responsible reporting on suicide, including stories of hope and resilience, can prevent more suicides. Please visit the Suicide Reporting Recommendations for more information. Additional information can be found at SuicideReportingToolkit.com.
About AAS: The American Association of Suicidology is the world’s largest membership-based suicide prevention organization. Founded in 1968 by Edwin S. Shneidman, PhD, AAS promotes the research of suicide and its prevention, public awareness programs, public education and training for professionals and volunteers. The membership of AAS includes mental health and public health professionals, researchers, suicide prevention and crisis intervention centers, school districts, crisis center professionals, survivors of suicide loss, attempt survivors, and a variety of laypersons who have in interest in suicide prevention. You can learn more about AAS at www.suicidology.org.
Washington, D.C. (October 15, 2020) – The American Association of Suicidology (AAS) has been a committed force in the area of suicide prevention and mental health promotion for US military service members and veterans. Tragically, yesterday one of our nation’s heroes, a United States Sailor assigned to the USS Roosevelt, died by suicide. This death will leave many Pentagon leaders, fellow sailors and people across the nation wondering why, or if there was something that was missed or that could have been done to prevent such a tragic loss of life. Suicide is complicated, and we recognize there is never one single reason that causes a solider, sailor, airman or Marine to take his or her life. This tragedy is compounded as we see hundreds of active duty service members die from suicide every year.
A recent DoD report highlights an uptick in suicide rates by 20 percent. Many are already speculating about the links to COVID-19. We may not have the data to determine if there is a direct, scientific link to the stressors associated with this pandemic but we do know that as a nation we are all living during an unprecedented time, dealing with heightened stressors and many uncertainties.
“This situation requires an all hands-on deck approach to ensure military leaders, peers, family members, and loved ones have all the resources they need to help those that are struggling. Each suicide reinforces the need for new approaches and re-doubling of our efforts to save lives” according to Dr. Keita Franklin, Co-Chair of the AAS Military and Veteran Sub-Committee and former Director of Suicide Prevention at both the Departments of Defense and Veteran Affairs. Kim Ruocco, Vice President of Suicide Prevention and Postvention for TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors) serves alongside Dr. Franklin as co-lead for this effort.
Committed to reducing suicide rates and helping people find lives worth living, AAS established a military and veteran committee this summer, bringing together experts to share best practices identify gaps and offer resources to help improve all faucets of suicide prevention within the military and veteran community.
“We recently formed this committee to make sure we are doing everything we can for our service members,” said Colleen Creighton, AAS Chief Executive Officer. ‘We recognize that they have unique risks and protective factors and want to make sure that they access culturally relevant resources to meet those needs.”
For those in crisis or in need of mental health support, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or text HOME to 741 741 to reach the Crisis Text Line.
About AAS: The American Association of Suicidology is the world’s largest membership-based suicide prevention organization. Founded in 1968 by Edwin S. Shneidman, PhD, AAS promotes the research of suicide and its prevention, public awareness programs, public education and training for professionals and volunteers. The membership of AAS includes mental health and public health professionals, researchers, suicide prevention and crisis intervention centers, school districts, crisis center volunteers, survivors of suicide loss, attempt survivors, and a variety of laypersons who have in interest in suicide prevention. You can learn more about AAS at www.suicidology.org.
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AAS Celebrates Passage of National Suicide Hotline Designation Act and Thanks Congress for Prioritizing Suicide Prevention
WASHINGTON, DC (September 22, 2020): The American Association of Suicidology (AAS) applauds the US House of Representatives in passing several pieces of critical suicide prevention legislation on Monday. These include:
S. 2661 – National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2020
Of particular note, the passage of the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act effectively establishes 988 as a unique, new, 3-digit mental health and suicide crisis hotline. While the hotline will not become active for another 2 years, this is a vital step in laying the foundation for the infrastructure in this country to allow increased access to those who find themselves in an emotional crisis.
“We’re pleased to see this Congress prioritize suicide and mental health” said Colleen Creighton, AAS CEO. “By passing all of these bills, Congress is sending a strong message to all Americans that our nation’s mental health and suicide prevention has parity with and is as vital and critical as our nation’s physical health. And as 988 continues its path forward towards implementation, we look forward to working with Congress and the states to ensure crisis services are well-equipped and adequately resourced to handle the volume of calls once this necessary change takes place.”
AAS also applauds the dozens of partner organizations responsible for working with Congress to address, draft, develop, and finalize this legislation. Dedicated professionals across the country have worked tirelessly to make this a reality.
“As an accrediting body of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, Veterans Crisis Line, and crisis call centers throughout the country, AAS is thankful to Congress for recognizing the valuable role that crisis services play in each of our states and communities,” said Becky Stoll, Chair of AAS’s Crisis Services Division and Vice-President of Crisis and Disaster Management for Centerstone. “This has been an unprecedented team effort by so many organizations and hundreds of centers throughout the country coming together to make 988 a reality. This effort will forever transform how consumers access mental health care.”
About AAS: The American Association of Suicidology is the world’s largest membership-based suicide prevention organization. Founded in 1968 by Edwin S. Shneidman, PhD, AAS promotes the research of suicide and its prevention, public awareness programs, public education and training for professionals and volunteers. The membership of AAS includes mental health and public health professionals, researchers, suicide prevention and crisis intervention centers, school districts, crisis center volunteers, survivors of suicide loss, attempt survivors, and a variety of laypersons who have in interest in suicide prevention. You can learn more about AAS at www.suicidology.org.
About Centerstone: Centerstone is a not-for-profit health system providing mental health and substance use disorder treatments. Services are available nationally through the operation of outpatient clinics, residential programs, the use of telehealth and an inpatient hospital. Centerstone also features specialized programs for the military community, therapeutic foster care, children’s services and employee assistance programs. Centerstone’s Research Institute provides guidance through research and technology, leveraging the best practices for use in all our communities. Centerstone’s Foundation secures philanthropic resources to support the work and mission of delivering care that changes people’s lives.
The American Association of Suicidology (AAS) supports the autism community.
AAS is aware of the need for crisis supports and resources for first responders and other professionals who work with autistic people. Safety is paramount when an autistic person, child or adult, is in crisis. Procedures and protocols designed for first responders to use with the general public risk harming autistic people. Training in what autism is, how autistic people communicate, and the proper way to help them is the first step to take in diffusing a crisis situation. The Autism and Suicide committee of AAS has developed resources for professionals to use to help autistic people in crisis. A free downloadable crisis toolkit can be found on our website here.
UNITED STATES (July 7, 2020): A recent national survey of behavioral health crisis service providers reveals that the demand for crisis services is increasing during COVID-19, while workers continue to be overwhelmed by fewer available resources for the people they serve. This survey included mobile crisis providers, crisis residential programs, and crisis calls centers across the country.
A report released by TBD Solutions in conjunction with other leading mental health organizations analyzed the responses of nearly 600 crisis providers, including 241 mobile crisis providers, 205 crisis residential programs, and 151 crisis call centers, revealing a crisis system being used more frequently by individuals with more complex challenges aggravated by COVID- 19. Survey responses were elicited largely from members of the American Association of Suicidology, the Crisis Residential Association, and the National Association of Crisis Organization Directors.
“Everyone’s anxiety level has increased,” one survey respondent wrote. “The increased complexity is mainly due to their chronic underlying conditions being exacerbated by fear, anxiety and social isolation.”
While the initial survey revealed the greatest concerns around health care and a lack of critical supplies, this survey found issues with care coordination and supervisor concerns about the health and safety of their staff as the most pressing matters.
“With the longer-term effects of COVID-19 taking shape, we expect to see more people accessing behavioral health crisis services for the first time,” says Travis Atkinson, Crisis Systems Consultant with TBD Solutions. “It is imperative that communities dedicate the necessary resources to assure crisis services are ready and accessible when people need them, even in times of economic drought. These services keep people in community-based care while decreasing the need for more costly and restrictive treatment options.”
“Real-time analysis of behavioral health providers is critical in a time where things are changing quickly and dramatically in terms of access and capacity,” said Colleen Creighton, CEO of the American Association of Suicidology. “These findings clearly show we need to work harder to support these providers who are already doing life-saving, heroic work on a daily basis. Our behavioral health systems need to be strengthened, both through increased funding and increased infrastructure, while those seeking help need better ways to safely and securely access those services.”
MOBILE CRISIS CHALLENGES: Mobile Crisis providers reported care coordination issues with community partners (73%) and concerns about keeping crisis staff safe and healthy (69%).
More than 40% reported a lack of critical supplies and equipment as a major concern (42%), while 32% of mobile crisis providers reported an increase in referrals.
CRISIS RESIDENTIAL CHALLENGES: 77% of crisis residential programs reported care coordination issues as a major challenge and 73% reported concerns as a supervisor about health and safety of their staff. Over half of respondents also cited attrition due to health concerns (52%) and an overwhelmed workforce due to increased clinical needs of persons served (50%). 38% of crisis residential programs reported an increase in referrals.
CRISIS CALL CENTER CHALLENGES: Crisis call centers identified care coordination issues (59%) and staff safety concerns (58%) as major challenges. Crisis call centers also report an increase in clinical intensity of calls (44%) and a decrease in available staff to cover shifts (41%).58% of respondents reported an increase in calls.
The survey was underwritten by the Michigan Health Endowment Fund. TBD Solutions partnered with Dr. Philp Resnik of the University of Maryland to analyze the survey results through topic modelling, an innovative technology designed to capture the essence of large- scale narrative survey responses.
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About TBD Solutions: TBD Solutions (TBDS) is a consulting, training, and research firm specializing in behavioral health crisis system design, function, and performance. Formed in 2011, TBD Solutions is committed to the values of high-quality, cost-effective, and client- centered care that effectively meets the urgent and ongoing needs of individuals receiving services. Learn more at www.tbdolutions.com.
About AAS: The American Association of Suicidology is the world’s largest membership-based suicide prevention organization. Founded in 1968 by Edwin S. Shneidman, PhD, AAS promotes the research of suicide and its prevention, public awareness programs, public education and training for professionals and volunteers. The membership of AAS includes mental health and public health professionals, researchers, suicide prevention and crisis intervention centers, school districts, crisis center volunteers, survivors of suicide loss, attempt survivors, and a variety of laypersons who have in interest in suicide prevention. You can learn more about AAS at www.suicidology.org.
About CRA: The Crisis Residential Association exists to support the operational and clinical functions of residential alternatives to psychiatric hospitalization. Rooted in the values of empathy, recovery, and continuous improvement, the association seeks to connect providers with the best ideas in behavioral health treatment to transform the way people receive mental health care. More information is available at www.crisisresidentialnetwork.com.
About NASCOD: The National Association of Crisis Organization Directors is an organization for social service professionals serving as Executive Directors or Program Directors of crisis organizations. NASCOD’s mission is to provide support and professional development for executive directors and program managers. More information is available at www.nascod.org.
Steps to Address Risks Include Strengthening Gun Laws, Promoting Secure Firearm Storage and Increasing Access to Mental Health Services and Economic Support
Resources for Journalists On Responsibly Covering Gun Suicide are Available Here
NEW YORK — Data from the Great Depression and the Great Recession suggest the economic fallout from the COVID-19 crisis could bring a 20 to 30 percent increase in firearm suicides in the U.S. this year, resulting in 20 additional gun suicides per day in 2020, according to a new analysis from Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund, an arm of Everytown for Gun Safety.
Everytown’s analysis draws on historical data to project an additional 5,000 to 7,000 firearm suicides in 2020 in addition to the 23,000 gun suicides in an average year in the U.S. It also includes recommendations for policymakers on how to prevent or reduce this increase.
“We’re facing a collateral public health crisis,” said Sarah Burd-Sharps, director of research at Everytown for Gun Safety. “The economic shocks from COVID-19 will continue to reverberate through American homes long after the pandemic subsides, and so will these serious risks of gun suicide. The hopeful news is that there are steps we can take immediately to prevent this pandemic from magnifying our firearm suicide epidemic. The time for action is now.”
“As uncertainty mounts and circumstances related to the pandemic, self-isolation and quarantining continue to rapidly change, we need to look at how this might impact suicide risk for people who have access to firearms,” said Colleen Creighton, CEO of the American Association of Suicidology. “Means safety is of critical importance at a time when significant life changes surrounding the pandemic, like loss of a job, compounding financial stressors, or loss of relationships, can escalate suicide risk. Putting time and space between someone who is experiencing a suicide crisis and their firearm is necessary to save lives, especially in a time of global crisis.”
“As so many of us know too well, firearm suicide was already a crisis before COVID-19,” said Marit Brock, an Everytown Survivor Fellow whose brother Pip took his life with a gun. “The risks have only grown. There are steps we all can take to help address this ongoing epidemic, and this work is more urgent now than it’s ever been.”
To prevent firearm suicides, policymakers can take several steps outlined in Everytown’s analysis, including:
Pass extreme risk laws, waiting period laws and laws requiring background checks on all gun sales.
Build awareness of the links between firearms and suicide, secure firearm storage practices and available support resources.
Increase access to mental health and medical services.
Expand access to economic support to mitigate suicide risk.
COVERING SUICIDE
By covering this public health crisis, reporters can inform readers about life-saving resources and highlight policy solutions, but they should do so in a way that does not increase stigma or contribute to possible contagion effects. If your news organization decides to cover these tragedies, please consider following the advice below for journalists covering suicide.
The recommendations below are from the Recommendations for Reporting on Suicide website, which was developed by suicide prevention experts, international suicide prevention and public health organizations, schools of journalism, media organizations and key journalists as well as Internet safety experts:
Report suicide as a public health issue. Including stories on hope, healing, and recovery may reduce the risk of contagion.
Include resources. Provide information on warning signs of suicide risk as well as hotline and treatment resources. At a minimum, include the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and Crisis Text Line (listed below) or local crisis phone numbers.
Use responsible language such as “died by suicide” or “killed him/them/herself,” rather than stigmatizing and shame-inducing “committed suicide” language.
Emphasize help and hope. Stories of recovery through help-seeking and positive coping skills are powerful, especially when they come from people who have experienced suicide risk.
Report the death as a suicide; keep information about the location general.
Report that coping skills, support, and treatment work for most people who have thoughts about suicide.
Describe suicide warning signs and risk factors (e.g. mental illness, relationship problems) that give suicide context.
Research the best available data to show the scope of suicide and use words like “increase” or “rise.” instead of words that can overstate the problem.
Provide context and facts to counter perceptions that the suicide was tied to heroism, honor, or loyalty to an individual or group.
The full list of recommendations on how to report on suicide is here.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24/7. 1-800-273-TALK (8255) suicidepreventionlifeline.org
You may also contact the Crisis Text Line, which provides trained crisis counseling services over text 24/7. Text HOME to 741741 from anywhere in the US crisistextline.org
Free and confidential mental health, suicide prevention, and crisis intervention services and resources are also available to people in-need of help, loved ones of those in-need, and frontline workers through the Pandemic Crisis Services Response Coalition athttps://www.covidmentalhealthsupport.org
About Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund
Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund seeks to improve our understanding of the causes of gun violence and the means to reduce it – by conducting groundbreaking original research, developing evidence-based policies, and communicating this knowledge to the American public. Learn more atwww.EverytownResearch.org.
Virtual Event Featured Dungeons and Dragons Celebrities and Icons
Washington, D.C. (May 26, 2020) – Jasper’s Game Day (JGD), a tabletop gaming organization out of Michigan, held the second annual Jasper’s Game Week May 2 – 7, 2020, convening some of the world’s biggest names in Dungeons and Dragons, including Satine Phoenix, Matthew Lillard, Anna Prosser, Chris Perkins, Todd Stashwick, Chris Lindsay, Matt Forbeck, Jim Zub, David Blue, Jason Charles Miller, Greg Tito, Todd Kenreck, Amy Lynn Dzura, Stefan Pokorny, Kailey Bray, Goldie Chan, Pat Rothfuss, The Dungeon Run cast, and others and produced by MTD Jake. The event brought more than 3000 live viewers over Twitch to watch incredible game play with the masters and to raise money for suicide prevention. The group managed to raise nearly $20,000 for the American Association of Suicidology’s youth-focused program, the National Center for the Prevention of Youth Suicide and for local crisis centers across the country. One of the biggest fundraisers of its kind, the organizers for JGD have shown the power of connection and relationships built during gaming can lead to incredible, real-world, life-saving outcomes. Next year’s streaming event is already being planned for May 1-6, 2021.
”Jasper’s Game week went better than I could’ve ever hoped for,” said Fenway Jones, founder and creator of Jasper’s Game Day. “The community came together to help support a very important cause and rallied to break donation goals even when we have to keep ourselves at home. I am so incredibly honored to be a part of such an amazing and supportive community!”
As a followup to this groundbreaking event, JGD will be hosting an online role playing game convention August 28-30, 2020. In addition, Fenway will be hosting her very own Dungeons and Dragons streaming show on gildinglight.tv this June.
“The 3rd annual Jasper’s Game Day live stream this year was incredible! 60 hours of live content with people from around the globe is an amazing feat,” said Satine Phoenix, Founder of Gildinglight.tv and world renowned dungeon master. “It is even more impressive that 17 year old Fenway Jones and her father put it all together with their real life adventuring team. It’s been an honor to watch this event grow and to see the entire Dungeons and Dragons community band together to support mental health programs.”
“Jasper’s Game Day, and their charity Dungeons and Dragons games, brought together dozens of gamers over the course of a week,” said Amy Lynn Dzura Community Manager D&D Adventurers League. “Due to quarantine conditions across the country, the games could not be held in person, but changing to an online event enabled even more members of the D&D community to come together in support of AAS. We are so incredibly proud of everything that Fenway and the Jasper’s team accomplishes for suicide prevention and awareness, all through the power of gaming”
Tabletop gaming, including role playing games like Dungeons and Dragons, have been shown to positively impact players’ mental health by increasing confidence, utilizing leadership and communication skills, and teamwork. Gaming in these settings also reduces isolation, a known risk factor for suicide, but also tends to create and maintain long-lasting friendships for youth and adults alike.
“We are so excited to be working with Fenway, and even more impressed by her passion, energy, and dedication around our cause,” said Amy Kulp, Director of the National Center for the Prevention of Youth Suicide. “Through Jasper’s Game Day, Fenway is not only raising much-needed funding for youth suicide prevention, she is also providing information for and starting important conversations with those in the gaming community.”
For the Media: Responsible reporting on suicide, including stories of hope and resilience, can prevent more suicides. Please visit the Suicide Reporting Recommendations for more information.
About AAS: The American Association of Suicidology is the world’s largest membership-based suicide prevention organization. Founded in 1968 by Edwin S. Shneidman, PhD, AAS promotes the research of suicide and its prevention, public awareness programs, public education and training for professionals and volunteers. The membership of AAS includes mental health and public health professionals, researchers, suicide prevention and crisis intervention centers, school districts, crisis center volunteers, survivors of suicide loss, attempt survivors, and a variety of laypersons who have in interest in suicide prevention. You can learn more about AAS at www.suicidology.org.
About Jasper’s Game Day: After losing two close friends as a high schooler, Jasper’s Game Day founder, Fenway Jones decided to use her and her friends’ passion for Dungeons and Dragons to help raise awareness and funds for suicide prevention. JGD works to donate and distribute proceeds of the program to crisis centers across the US, helping them to answer the calls of those desperately in need of emotional support.
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Washington, D.C. (May 19, 2020) – Physical social distancing can create isolation, loneliness, anxiety, and depression. In suicidology, we know where that can lead and that’s unacceptable. As we continue into May’s Mental Health Awareness Month, the American Association of Suicidology (AAS) is pleased to announce the creation of the #SoulCareAAS365 Project to help address not only the fear-based confusion, uncertainty, and adversity resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, but also the traumatic impact that will linger long beyond May.
“Watching the tidal wave of lists and more to do lists and top 10 ‘How to manage emotions during a pandemic’ was overwhelming,” shared Annemarie Matulis, the AAS Impacted Family & Friends Division Chair. “We were having great success delivering our wellness workshops digitally, so why not take our #soulcare projects digital too, to let people see and hear the sound of a voice, see another person’s face and witness their energy to help make that all important connection and end the sense of isolation?”
The goal of the #SoulCareAAS365 Project is to present a campaign of emotional support, hope and solidarity by connecting people via live and recorded conversations, video messages, webinars, online roundtables and more, across multiple social media platforms.
To initiate the launch, the #SoulCareAAS365 Project is releasing two digital sample toolkits originally developed for Impacted Family & Friends: Is This the Night: Finding Inner Peace for impacted family and friends, and the Re-Energize & Re-Connect series for suicide attempt and loss survivors further along their recovery and healing paths. Both evidence-based, peer to peer wellness workshop series have been in place in a face to face setting since 2014. Each toolkit includes three to four exercises with companion conversational and casual coaching videos. The exercises were compiled by the AAS Impacted Family & Friends Division in collaboration with AVoiceattheTable.org.
The toolkits guide participants through a personal emotional inventory that will offer suggestions on how to better recognize one’s own behaviors and attitudes and make minor or, in some cases, major changes. This is nothing new. It’s just another way to experience the turnaround to step away from fear-driven attitudes and behaviors and improve the quality of life. New support materials will be added regularly.
For the Media: Responsible reporting on suicide, including stories of hope and resilience, can prevent more suicides. Please visit the Suicide Reporting Recommendations for more information.
About AAS: The American Association of Suicidology is the world’s largest membership-based suicide prevention organization. Founded in 1968 by Edwin S. Shneidman, PhD, AAS promotes the research of suicide and its prevention, public awareness programs, public education and training for professionals and volunteers. The membership of AAS includes mental health and public health professionals, researchers, suicide prevention and crisis intervention centers, school districts, crisis center volunteers, survivors of suicide loss, attempt survivors, and a variety of laypersons who have in interest in suicide prevention. You can learn more about AAS at www.suicidology.org.
About A Voice at the Table: For every person struggling with suicide, there are impacted family members and friends that experience emotional and physical effects related to their loved one’s struggle. A Voice at the Table was founded in 2014 as a grassroots movement dedicated to ending the marginalization of family members and close friends emotionally impacted and traumatized by the non-fatal suicidal experiences of their loved ones. A Voice at the Table operates as a division of a 501c3 non-profit in southeastern Massachusetts and has produced documentaries, developed psychoeducational workshops and webinars, and delivers trainings and community conversations wrapped around a public health approach to suicide prevention locally, nationally and internationally. A Voice at the Table is a corporate member of the Massachusetts Coalition of Suicide Prevention.
