Advocates from AFSP, NAMI, and MHA to Hold Press Conference to Demand Resources to Help Fight Suicide

Three Major Mental Health Groups Join Together to Host Press Conference

News provided by

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

Mar 01, 2017, 16:10 ET

COLUMBIA, S.C., March 1, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Suicide is the 11^th leading cause of death overall in South Carolina. To help prevent this tragic loss of life, mental health advocates from the South Carolina chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention are visiting the state capitol on Thursday, March 2^nd to co-host a press conference, with Mental Health America of South Carolina and the National Alliance on Mental Illness' South Carolina chapter. The press conference will begin at 10:30 a.m. in the Rotunda of the South Carolina State House. Interested media should RSVP to Tom Robinson, AFSP-South Carolina Public Policy Committee Chair, at [email protected].

"AFSP is committed to working with the legislature and other state departments and agencies to ensure that quality mental health services are accessible to all South Carolinians," said Tom Robinson, AFSP South Carolina public policy chair. "Suicide, and the heartache it causes to families, loved ones and coworkers, is something we can prevent if we work together."

The event in Columbia is cosponsored by the South Carolina Mental Health Advocacy Day, with participants including MHA and NAMI.

This is the third time AFSP is hosting a State Capitol Day in South Carolina. The advocates are part of a larger national movement of AFSP volunteer advocates who will be visiting 35 state capitols across the United States in spring 2017 to bring best practices in suicide prevention to state legislators.

Suicide in South Carolina
Suicide is the 11^th leading cause of death overall in South Carolina. For people aged 10-24 in South Carolina, it is the second leading cause of death. For those aged 15-34, it is the third leading cause of death. On average one person dies by suicide every 12 hours in the state.

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is dedicated to saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide. AFSP creates a culture that's smart about mental health through education and community programs, develops suicide prevention through research and advocacy, and provides support for those affected by suicide. Led by CEO Robert Gebbia and headquartered in New York, AFSP has local chapters in all 50 states with programs and events nationwide. AFSP celebrates 30 years of service to the suicide prevention movement. Learn more about AFSP in its latest Annual Report, and join the conversation on suicide prevention by following AFSP on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.