White House Honors SAVE as Champions of Change

Minnesota-based Suicide Prevention Organization Recognized as a Leader in the Field

WASHINGTON, Aug. 30, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- SAVE - Suicide Awareness Voices of Education - was honored at the White House as "Champions of Change" on Thursday, August 25, for its work in the area of suicide prevention. SAVE Executive Director Dr. Dan Reidenberg and Board President Joe Stackhouse accepted the honor on SAVE's behalf following a roundtable discussion with White House policy officials and other leading suicide prevention innovators.

The White House Champions of Change program highlights U.S. groups, businesses, organizations, and individuals who are helping the country rise to the challenges of the 21st century. These Champions of Change are doing extraordinary things in their communities to innovate, educate and build a better America.

SAVE was chosen along with two other suicide prevention organizations, bullying/LGBT organizations and military-family agencies who are working to prevent suicide, provide resources for communities, and educate individuals and groups across the country. In selecting SAVE as a Champions of Change, the administration described it as an organization "empowering and inspiring others in their communities" and cited "the work and passion of your organization in the area of suicide prevention as an outstanding example of President Obama's vision to out-innovate, out-educate and out-build the rest of the world."

"It was an honor to be invited to The White House to be recognized for our work," said Reidenberg.  "We have to change our approach, do better and definitely something different so that we can save more lives from the tragedy of suicide.  Now is the time and we are the generation to do this."

Champions of Change is part of President Obama's Winning the Future Across America initiative. SAVE and Dr. Reidenberg are featured on the White House website at www.whitehouse.gov/champions.

Bloomington-based SAVE is a national nonprofit dedicated to preventing suicide through public awareness and education. SAVE was one of the nation's first suicide prevention organizations and was a co-founding member of the National Council for Suicide Prevention.  In its 21-year history, SAVE has grown from an all-volunteer, grassroots group of passionate survivors to what is one of today's leading national not-for-profit organizations with staff dedicated to prevent suicide.

For more, please visit http://www.whitehouse.gov/champions

Dr. Daniel J. Reidenberg, PsyD, FAPA
Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (SAVE)
952-946-7998
[email protected]

SOURCE SAVE - Suicide Awareness Voices of Education