Our Work in the Community

The Orange County Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention was formed in 2015.  Since then, the chapter has grown into a vital force in our community.  AFSP-OC adheres to the mission of saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide.

We do this several different ways locally.

We are active in our community!

2024
Feb 27 - UCI Mental Health Fair
Feb 23 - Segerstrom High School Mental Health Awareness/Suicide Prevention Event
Feb 24 - Oso Fit – Community Health Fair & 5K Fun Run
Apr 9 - Mental Health Fair-Foothill High School
Apr 13 - Blossoming Together, Great Park, Irvine
Apr 23 - Sexual Assault Awareness Week Mental Health Resource Fair - Irvine Valley College
Apr 23 - CSUF 3rd Annual Student Wellness Resource Fair
May 4 - Mental Health Awareness Event - Olive Crest
May 5 - Health Fair - CORE Church, Irvine
May 8 - Applied Medical Community Resources Expo
June 8 - Mission Viejo Pride
July 4 - Lake Forest Parade

2023
Jan 14 - Queer Healing: A day of mindful healing for LGBTQIA+ Youth & Young Adults, Delhi Center, Santa Ana
Jan 25 - LCAD Student Life Involvement Fair, Laguna College of the Arts 
Feb 15 - SAUSD District-Wide We Care Day Suicide Prevention, Santa Ana High School
Feb 21 - Mental Wellness Fair, UCI Student Center
Feb 25 - Oso Fit 5K Fun Run & Community Health Fair, Norman P. Murray Center
Apr 21 - Stronger Communities Conferernce, Irvine Mariott
Apr 25 - Sexual Assault Awareness Week Mental Health Resource Fair, Irvine Valley College
May 3 - Foothill High School 
May 12 - May Your Mental Health Thrive With H.O.P.E. (Health, Opportunity Progress Equity), Delhi Community Center and Delhi Park
May 13 - Phoenix House of California Resource Fair
Jun 24 - OC Pride Parade and Festival
Jul 15 - 356 Concours in San Juan Capistrano
Jul 18 - Senior Health Fair, Anaheim
Aug 1 - National Night Out, Orange
Aug 5 - Festival of Butterflies, San Juan Capistrano
Aug 26 - NAMI Walk, Angel Stadium
Sep 9 - Anaheim High School Suicide Prevention Health Fair
Sep 10 - Etnies Skatepark in Lake Forest
Sep 15 - OCAPICA Arts Healing Event
Sep 19 - Walk of Hope, Irvine Valley College
Sep 23 - The Purpose of Recovery Rally
Sep 25 - Beckman High School
Sep 27 - Walk of Hope, Cypress College
Sep 30 - Soka University Suicide Prevention Awareness event
Oct 6 - Senior Wellness Fair, Orange Senior Center
Oct 18 - Vanguard University Wellness Fair

Advocacy
We have a mighty team of advocates who regularly write letters to our legislators to help get bills passed that will benefit the community.  Field Advocates are speaking out and fighting for essential policy changes that can save lives.

When COVID shut everything down in March of 2020, AFSP-OC quickly adjusted and presented the Talks Saves Lives ™ presentation virtually via ZOOM. Currently, we have presented to over 80 groups. And now that COVID restrictions have been lifted, we are now scheduling in-person presentations!

The OC chapter partners with other worthwhile mental health organizations, such as Be Well OC. Together we are an essential part of a robust community helping to create a community-wide system to support mental health.

We are embarking on the bold goal of reducing the suicide rates by 20% by the year 2025 by engaging in AFSP’s Project 2025. Four critical areas have been identified to save the most lives in the shortest amount of time - firearms, healthcare systems, emergency departments and corrections systems. Through our reputation and wide reach, we CAN achieve our goal.

Fundraising is vital for our cause to prevent suicide. Our programs and materials are offered at no charge to the public. As an example, in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month in May 2021, for the first time, we invited all hikers, walkers, runners, family, and friends to walk various trails while raising funds for AFSP. We raised $18,247 to support our efforts.  On Oct. 14, 2023, we had our annual Out of the Darkness Orange County California Walk at Centennial Park in Santa Ana and raised over $65,000! The Walk gives people the courage to open up about their own connections to the cause, and a platform to create a culture that’s smarter about mental health. Friends, family members, neighbors and coworkers walk side-by-side, supporting each other and in memory of those we’ve lost.