Media Invited: The First Survivor Day on the Hill

WASHINGTON, Nov. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States. Just ahead of International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day (Survivor Day), which is Saturday, November 18, leaders from the bereavement department of the nation's largest organization dedicated to suicide prevention, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention will host a special "Survivor Day on the Hill". Open to members of Congress, their staff, and the media, the healing and support event is co-sponsored by the House Task Force on Suicide Prevention which is co-chaired by Representatives John Katko (R-NY) and Don Beyer (D-VA). Free lunch will be provided.

Survivor Day is the one day a year when people affected by suicide loss gather around the world at events in their local communities to find comfort and gain understanding as they share stories of healing and hope. Survivor Day is free and open to the public. To find a local event, visit www.afsp.org/survivorday. This year there are over 400 Survivor Day events in 18 countries.

"Supporting those who have lost someone to suicide is part of our mission at AFSP," said John Madigan, vice president of public policy for AFSP. "Suicide is a tragedy that affects everyone from our members of Congress to their staff. We hope that by hosting this event we are able to bring hope and healing to those who attend."

This observance began in 1999 when Senator Harry Reid, himself a loss survivor, introduced a resolution to designate the Saturday before Thanksgiving National Survivors of Suicide Day—an occasion for families and friends of people who died by suicide to join together for healing and support.

WHEN:Wednesday, November 15, 2017 
12p.m. – 1p.m.

WHERE: United States Capitol Building
Room H-08
East Capitol St NE & First St SE 
Washington, D.C.  20004

PRESENTERS: Brandon English, AFSP Director of Loss and Healing Programs
Dr. Doreen Marshall, AFSP Vice President of Programs

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is dedicated to saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide. AFSP creates a culture that's smart about mental health through education and community programs, develops suicide prevention through research and advocacy, and provides support for those affected by suicide. Led by CEO Robert Gebbia and headquartered in New York, AFSP has local chapters in all 50 states with programs and events nationwide. AFSP celebrates 30 years of service to the suicide prevention movement. Learn more about AFSP in its latest Annual Report, and join the conversation on suicide prevention by following AFSP on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

View original content with multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/media-invited-the-first-survivor-day-on-the-hill-300556006.html

SOURCE American Foundation for Suicide Prevention