American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Commends President Obama for Reversing Condolence Letter Policy

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American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

Jul 06, 2011, 04:24 ET

WASHINGTON, July 6, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) commends President Obama for reversing the White House's longstanding policy of not sending condolence letters to the families of service members who die by suicide while deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan and other combat zones.

"We are deeply gratified by the president's recognition that those who die by suicide while serving our country are equally deserving of full military recognition, which includes sending letters of condolence to surviving family members," said John Madigan, AFSP's Senior Director of Public Policy.

Over the past two years, AFSP has worked relentlessly towards reversing the condolence letter policy by sending a letter to President Obama, working with Congress on a House Resolution and supporting a bipartisan letter from 11 senators to the White House. In addition, AFSP mobilized tens of thousands of advocates and supporters across the United States through petitions and a social media campaign this past Memorial Day encouraging advocates to contact the White House and urge the president to end this insensitive and hurtful policy.

"Reversing this policy has been a top priority," said Madigan. "As the leading national organization dedicated to preventing suicide and reducing stigma surrounding suicide and mental illness, we applaud President Obama for taking a courageous stand and sending a strong message that America will not tolerate a culture in our Armed Forces that discriminates against those with a mental illness or furthers stigma."

SOURCE American Foundation for Suicide Prevention