AFSP: AFSP Partners with Johnson Family Foundation to Reduce LGBT Suicide

AFSP Partners with Johnson Family Foundation to Reduce LGBT Suicide

AFSP has received a $45,000 grant from the Johnson Family Foundation to develop a project aimed at reducing suicidal behavior and suicide risk in lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender populations. The goal of the new Knowledge to Practice Initiative -- which will coincide with AFSP’s ongoing LGBT efforts -- is to lay the foundation for a national LGBT suicide prevention effort by establishing partnerships with leading national and state organizations.

Specific aims include:

Educate LGBT organizations and mainstream suicide prevention organizations about prevalence of, and risk factors for LGBT suicide, and the implications of current research evidence for reducing suicidal behavior and suicide risk in these populations;
Engage target organizations to identify specific projects or activities, consistent with each organization’s mission, to help reduce LGBT suicidal behavior and suicide risk;
Establish partnerships between AFSP and target organizations to design and carry out selected projects or activities;
Engage foundations and other funding agencies to support selected projects and activities; and
Develop a strategic plan for years two and three of the Knowledge to Practice Initiative.

Over the past decade, an increasing body of empirical research in the United States and other countries has pointed to significantly higher suicide risk among LGBT individuals, compared to heterosexuals of the same ages. Little national or international attention, however, has been given to this problem. As the leading national not-for-profit organization exclusively dedicated to understanding and preventing suicide AFSP is taking a proactive role in developing a broad national initiative aimed at reducing suicidal behavior and suicide risk in LGBT populations.