AFSP invests millions in scientific research to prevent suicide

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) on Sept. 4 announced 26 new grants totaling over $6.2 million. These grants were awarded to researchers across the world who focus their work on studies that help the field learn about suicide and how to prevent it. “Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death, and we are learning how to prevent it through research,” Jill Harkavy‐Friedman, vice president of research for AFSP, stated in a news release. “The studies cover a broad range of topics including new ways to screen for suicide risk, the development of effective interventions, and efforts to increase our understanding of the biology of suicidal behavior.” Each application is reviewed multiple times by the top suicide prevention researchers in the world, the release stated. The research grants are funded mainly through individual donors who attend the AFSP walks and other public education events. Many of the grantees then go on to receive further funding from the National Institute of Mental Health and other large funding agencies.