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Join AFP in supporting suicide prevention in September

Crystal Graham

crystal christina

Column by Crystal Abbe Graham

Most people have been touched by someone who struggles with mental health or has died by suicide. Please join me in Remembering Tina (and your friend or loved one) during Suicide Prevention Month (September 2018) and as we approach 26 years since my identical twin sister died by suicide on September 23.

Want to join me in supporting a good cause? I’m raising money for American Association of Suicidology and your contribution will make an impact, whether you donate $5 or $500. Every little bit helps. Thank you for your support and helping prevent suicide.

The goal of the American Association of Suicidology (AAS) is to understand and prevent suicide.

AAS accomplishes this mission by directing efforts to:

  • Advance Suicidology as a science; encouraging, developing and disseminating scholarly work in suicidology.
  • Encourage the development and application of strategies that reduce the incidence and prevalence of suicidal behaviors.
  • Compile, develop, evaluate and disseminate accurate information about suicidal behaviors to the public.
  • Foster the highest possible quality of suicide prevention, intervention and postvention to the public.
  • Publicize official AAS positions on issues of public policy relating to suicide.
  • Promote research and training in suicidology.

The membership of AAS includes mental health and public health professionals, researchers, suicide prevention and crisis intervention centers, school districts, crisis center volunteers, survivors of suicide and a variety of lay persons who have an interest in suicide prevention. AAS, a not-for-profit organization, encourages and welcomes both individual and organizational members.

Crystal Abbe Graham is the vice president of Augusta Free Press.

Crystal Graham

Crystal Graham

Crystal Abbe Graham is the regional editor of Augusta Free Press. A 1999 graduate of Virginia Tech, she has worked for nearly 25 years as a reporter and editor for several Virginia publications, written a book, and garnered more than a dozen Virginia Press Association awards for writing and graphic design. She was the co-host of "Viewpoints," a weekly TV news show, and co-host of Virginia Tonight, a nightly TV news show. Her work on "Virginia Tonight" earned her a national Telly award for excellence in television.