The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Says Hope And Resources Are Available

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention has a strong presence in Minnesota with its various education programs, resource tables at events such as Twin Cities Pride, programming like their Out of Darkness Walks, and many online resources.

Amanda Leininger (She/Her), area director for the Minnesota chapter, is the only staff member of the Minnesota chapter and can maintain their presence by working with many volunteers around the state to carry out their mission — to save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide.

They are present at many events with a table full of resources like prevention education, support for loss survivors, speaking safely about suicide, having an open conversation, and how to reach out to those you care about.

“We are really proud to always be at Twin Cities Pride, it’s one of our favorite weekends of the year,” Leininger said. “We have volunteers that will staff us the entire time and are able to have conversations with anyone who comes through and we have little rainbow wallet-size pamphlets that have some warning signs and things like that.”

Alongside being present at Pride, they have various resources for the LGBTQ community. One of those includes their program Talk Saves Lives, which discusses the research regarding suicide prevention, warning signs, risk factors, protective factors, and how we as a community can help and includes a specific module for the LGBTQ community.

Leininger said the module discusses the known special risk factors that might put the LGBTQ population at a higher risk and different protective factors and ways to be connected with help.

Suicide is complex and most often occurs when stressors and health issues converge, creating an experience of hopelessness and despair, she said. There is no one single cause for suicide.

For LGBTQ people, prejudice, stigma, and discrimination can increase the likelihood of depression, stress, and other mental health concerns, she said.

Compared to straight people, gay, lesbian, and bisexual people are more likely to report having made a suicide attempt in the past year or over their lifetime according to Leininger. She said transgender people report a higher prevalence of suicide attempts in the past year or over their lifetime than LGB or straight people.

“Because of that, we know that there is a higher risk, so it is so important that we are able to help break that stigma, help provide opportunities for connection, share what resources are available, and how we as a community, no matter your identity, can be looking out for those that we love, looking out for those warning signs, and helping to connect people to help if they need it,” Leininger said.

She said when talking about suicide, know that it can be prevented and that there is hope.

“It is important to note that the majority of LGBTQ people, including youth who experience stressful external factors like discrimination, bullying, or family rejection, do not become suicidal,” Leininger said.

There are three steps people can take to help with prevention: look for the warning signs, reach out, and seek help.

You can detect warning signs through talk, behavior, and mood. Leininger said people might joke about it or mention that they feel like a burden, so it’s important to listen to what people are saying. Look for different moods and look out for how people are acting.

“The most important thing is to trust your gut,” she said. “You know the people in your life best, so anything that is out of character or kind of sets off an alarm bell, definitely reach out.”

The next step would be to reach out and have a caring conversation. Leininger said assume you’re the only person who’s going to reach out. 

“Don’t be afraid to ask the question directly,” she said. “We know from research that asking does not raise the risk, it actually lowers the risk of suicide.”

If someone says yes, help connect them to help and resources. If they say no, let them know you are there for them and they will probably feel comforted by the fact that you are willing to have that caring conversation, Leininger said.

AFSP also offers resources for people who have lost a loved one. Their program Healing Conversations connects individuals who have lost someone, whether recently or many years out, with a volunteer who is also a suicide loss survivor, she said.

“We try to match up as best as we can to share the experiences and it’s a healing conversation where that loss survivor is able to ask questions, feel connected to someone who knows a little bit about what they’re going through, and help provide resources and answers and kind of help them in their healing and grief journey,” Leininger said.

They host events every fall for International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day that include healing crafts and guided conversations surrounding grief, how it changes over the years, and how to manage it going into the holidays. She said they held seven events last year across the state and a virtual one hosted in American Sign Language.

“I think it’s important, too, if you’ve lost someone to suicide to look for the warning signs in yourself,” Leininger said. “We know that those who have lost someone are at a higher risk for suicide, so surround yourself with those who care for you, have someone you can kind of check in with, and make sure that you’re taking care of yourself.”

Alongside those events, they host nine Out of the Darkness walks across the state from September through October.

“Our walks are unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. They are incredibly beautiful, incredibly meaningful,” Leininger said. “Together, we walk out of the darkness, our route goes around Como Park here in the Twin Cities, and it’s a way to remember those we’ve lost and honor those who struggle and who are still here and honor each other.”

AFSP provides many more resources on its website, including a specific page for LGBTQ people. She said Mother LGBTQ-specific resources include the Trevor Project, the SAGE LGBTQ Elder Hotline, and the Trans Lifeline.

If you are in crisis, please call, text, or chat with the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988, or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741.