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.
