AFSP Partners with Johnson Family Foundation to Reduce LGBT Suicide

New York, NY - August 10, 2009 - The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) has received a $45,000 grant from the Johnson Family Foundation (JFF) to develop a project aimed at reducing suicidal behavior and suicide risk among lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) persons.

“There is increasing evidence that LGBT individuals, especially youth, have higher rates of suicide attempts as compared to heterosexuals of the same ages,” said Andrew Lane, executive director of JFF. “Significant efforts must be undertaken to reduce suicide behavior and risk among LGBT people. JFF’s grant to AFSP will ensure that the best available research informs the design of interventions that will hopefully save lives and promote well-being.”

The funds will go towards a new AFSP prevention program called the “Knowledge to Practice Initiative” which is designed to lay the foundation for a national LGBT suicide prevention strategy.

This strategy involves developing partnerships with national and local government organizations as well as other suicide prevention organizations and leading LGBT groups. The goal of these partnerships will be to spearhead more scientific research on LGBT suicide, develop specific projects and activities geared to reducing LGBT suicidal behavior, and address the stigma and other factors that increase suicide risk for LGBT individuals.

“The Knowledge to Practice Initiative will take all that is currently known about suicide behavior and risk in the LGBT community, and what we hope to learn, and then direct that knowledge towards tangible and effective prevention programs,” said Ann Haas, PhD, director of suicide prevention projects for AFSP.

The Knowledge to Practice Initiative is a part of AFSP’s overall LGBT suicide prevention program. To read more about the Foundation’s initiatives visit www.afsp.org/lgbt. Both AFSP and JFF have an on-going commitment to addressing LGBT suicide, and hope to engage other foundations and funding agencies to join in this effort.

About Johnson Family Foundation:

The Johnson Family Foundation is a progressive family foundation operating national grantmaking programs in the areas of environmental health and LGBT issues, as well as place-based grantmaking programs in Vermont, the New York City metropolitan area, Pittsburgh, and Telluride. For more information visit www.jffnd.org.

About American Foundation for Suicide Prevention:

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is the leading national not-for-profit organization exclusively dedicated to understanding and preventing suicide through research, education and advocacy as well as to reaching out to people with mental disorders and those affected by suicide. For more information please visit www.afsp.org.