Page 86 - South Mississippi Living - December, 2025

GIVING BACK
story by Lynn Lofton
photo courtesy of
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
The latest available figures for suicide in the U.S. are for 2023 when there were 49,316 deaths due to suicide and 1.5 million suicide attempts, according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP).
Established in 1987, AFSP is a voluntary health organization that gives those affected by suicide a nationwide community empowered by research, education and advocacy to take action against this leading cause of death.
“AFSP is dedicated to saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide, including those who have experienced a loss,” says Meghan Goldbeck executive director for Louisiana and Mississippi. “It’s the largest private funder of suicide prevention research in the U.S. We offer prevention training to schools, first responders, organizations and anyone in the community.”
Adina Welker of Brandon heads up the Mississippi Chapter. “The grassroots work we do focuses on eliminating the loss of life from suicide by delivering innovative prevention programs, educating the public about risk factors and warning signs, raising funds for suicide research and programs, and reaching out to those individuals who have lost someone to suicide,” she says.
The chapter brings together people from all backgrounds who want to prevent suicide. “Families and friends who have lost someone to suicide, vulnerable individuals, mental health professionals, clergy, educators, students, community/business leaders, and many others energize our chapter,” Welker says.
Goldbeck explains that AFSP is privately funded by generous
individuals who helped pass the Out of the Darkness Law. “Anyone, anywhere in the U.S. can now call, chat, or text 988 and receive resources and support during a suicide, mental health, or substance use crisis.”
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Mississippi Chapter 769.837.5773
National Suicide Crisis Lifeline: 988 www.988lifeline.org • www.afsp.org/Mississippi
86 | December 2025
www.smliving.net | SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living