What is the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention? An Interview with Kristen Smith

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Kristen Smith is the Survivor Initiative Manager for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, an international non-profit “exclusively dedicated to understanding and preventing suicide through research, education and advocacy, and to reaching out to people with mental disorders and those impacted by suicide.” She manages the day-to-day operations and employee and client outreach programs, and she agreed to tell us a bit about what she does for AFSP.

Antal: Can you begin by telling us a bit about your work at AFSP? How did you end up in this line of work?

Kristen: Well, like you said, I am the Survivor Initiative Manager at AFSP, and I work on programs that benefit the survivors of suicide loss. We have 59 programs throughout the country, and over 300 sites throughout the world. Among many other things we host an International Survivors of Suicide Day to honor suicide loss, what the individuals, their families and friends went through in their loss experience. It’s meant to offer a place to feel community for suicide, create a place for healing, where those of us who have experienced a loss can move forward.

As for myself, I got into this line of work through studying thanatology — I was inspired by a hospice chaplain I met many years ago, and I got involved with volunteering with hospice programs, then at a bereavement camp. I started studying the phenomenon of suicide, and looked into AFSP, and, well, here I am.

Antal: Who are your co-workers at AFSP? I guess I’m wondering about your day-to-day operations.

Kristen: We have a great community here, and we all work very collaboratively. Our departments include Research, Operations, Suicide Education, which is about raising awareness in the different cities. We also have a Community Walks Department. Community Walks are events we promote throughout the country, and we can help to bring funds into programs and promote the walks to support survivors of suicide and prevention efforts.

Antal: So you are more of a broad strokes organization? Do you get into the planning of events yourselves?

Kristen: Yes, we’re higher level in general. We facilitate. We don’t plan the events ourselves, but if we hear from someone who’s interested in planning a walk in their community, we would let them know who to contact about creating the walk, let them know what kind of programs they have, what they can do to help, that sort of thing. We have 59 chapters, so it’s important that we get involved on the local level, keep our information and our networks current and relevant.

Antal: So do you help those suffering from suicidal thoughts directly?

Kristen: Well, we’re certainly not a hotline, but we can help them find advice. So no, we cannot do direct service, but we maintain a list of referrals, try to tell them a bit about steps they can take and refer them to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. We maintain a really wide variety of partnerships with the different organizations so that no one gets turned away.

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Antal: I’m sure this is a pretty complicated question. But how do suicidal thoughts come about? You hear about depression as a common lead in, but are there any other warning signs that people might not know about?

Kristen: In terms of how suicidal thoughts come about, that is definitely, very complicated, and that’s by far where most of the research we fund is directed. There are biological components, genetic components — some people have suicidal tendencies that run in the family. There are environmental components. Mental illness is a primary contributor — over 90% of the people who commit suicide have a diagnosable psychological illness, usually something like major depression, bi-polar disorder, substance abuse. By and large people who commit suicide do seem to have psychological illnesses. So we do try to promote education and getting behind the people who need it, to encourage them to get the help that they need.

Antal: Can you talk a bit more about warning signs? How suicidal thoughts might manifest in a person’s behavior?

Kristen: We keep that information in the About Suicide section on our website. There can be some signs — observable signs of depression, hopelessness, sleep problems, increased alcoholism or drug abuse. If the person threatens suicide, that’s definitely a big red flag. If a person threatens suicide, absolutely tell them to seek help. If somebody begins giving away their prize possessions. A person exhibiting abnormally impulsive behavior is a common warning sign. Purchasing firearms. Again, this is all on our website. It can be difficult to understand what to look for, of course. It helps if you know the person, and of course it will be different for every case.

And of course there’s those with a history of attempted suicide. Those with impulsive personalities are more likely to commit suicide. For instance, men are statistically more likely to die by suicide than women.

Antal: What advice do you have for a person living with somebody with suicidal tendencies?

Kristen: When you’re afraid someone might take their life, people need to know the facts and recognize the signs. It’s important that you take it seriously if the person starts exhibiting the signs. Tell them they should seek professional help, actively encourage them, that’s very important, to show them that somebody cares.

If someone is actively suicidal, make sure that you’re not leaving that person alone. Make sure that they’re getting what they need. And caregivers should seek help as well, make sure that they’re taking care of themselves. Caregiver burnout is very common in these cases, but there are ways to avoid it, and that’s very important.

Antal: What advice do you have for someone grieving a loss by suicide?

Kristen: For someone that is grieving a loss by suicide, what we want them to know is they’re not alone. Communicate with them, let them know that an emotional reaction is normal, that their range of emotions is normal and that they can talk about it. Try to find hope in your life. Look to your loved ones, join groups, or seek out a suicide coping professional. There are many websites out there, blogs and chats and forums on the topic, and they can help us to feel a little less alone with the loss. We also have a Survivor Outreach Program and we have that in about 34 chapters across the country. Our Field Advocates are suicide survivors two or more years from the loss. They go out and meet with the bereaved survivors themselves. Give them the sense that we get what they’re going through. They meet with people, look them in the eyes and get that we know what they’re going through.

Antal: Thank you so much for speaking with us, Kristen. Please keep up the good work.

Kristen: Absolutely, Antal, you’re welcome.

• Check out our review of the HBO documentary, Kevorkian, who pioneered so-called “assisted suicide.”
• Read our interview with the founder of Josie’s Place, which helps children cope with the aftermath of a loss.