Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one’s own death. There are many factors in this act, including mental illness, substance abuse, physical illness, and personal loss, as well as social isolation. Suicide is experienced by hundreds of thousands of persons every year. WHO and the Global Burden of Disease study, using conservative death count estimates, suggest that there are approximately 800,000 deaths from suicide every year. One person dies of suicide every 40 seconds. Suicides accounted for 1.3 percent of global deaths in 2019.
According to the World Atlas, between 2020 and 2021, the number of suicides increased from 45,979 to 47,646 in the United States only. With these frightening numbers in mind, it’s important to highlight the work of charities working to prevent suicide. These organizations are torches of compassion and understanding, tirelessly working on raising awareness, offering support, and creating a world where no one feels alone in their struggle. Here are 15 of them:
#1. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, or AFSP, is a premier organization devoted to the prevention of suicide and mental health awareness and support for those impacted by suicide. Founded in 1987, AFSP has grown into one of the leading national non-profit organizations dedicated to suicide prevention.
They finance research to improve the interventions, train clinicians in suicide prevention, and fight for policies that will save lives. They also contribute to finding better ways of reaching those who suffer and encourage schools, workplaces, and communities to make mental health a priority as well.
To get involved with AFSP’s mission or contribute towards their cause, you can donate directly through the website, cryptocurrency, join Out of the Darkness Walks, or attend AFSP’s events. Other ways to give include memorial/tribute giving, individual/corporate giving, fundraising on social media, shopping with AmazonSmile, and vehicle donation.
#2. Teen Lifeline
Teen Lifeline, founded in 1986, aims to prevent teen suicide in Arizona. It is an exceptional charity, one that tirelessly works to prevent teen suicide by increasing resiliency in youth and building supportive communities.
Paired with youth development, suicide prevention education, and School ID Initiative programs, they’re making a world where all youth have a sense of connectedness and hope for their future. In 2022 alone, they answered over 43,000 calls/texts on the hotline.
To support this charity, you can donate directly through the website and select gift categories – general, memorial, honorarium, or special occasion. Alternatively, you can donate cryptocurrency (BTC, ETH, DOGE, BCH, LTC, MATIC), join social media fundraising, use charity shopping options on AmazonSmile, donate via donor-advised funds, wills, and trusts, or in-kind gifts.
#3. Crisis Text Line
Crisis Text Line is a non-profit organization that provides free, 24/7 high, quality, text-based mental health support, and crisis interventions. They empower a community of trained volunteers to provide people in their moments of need with emotional support. Their mission is to promote awareness for mental well-being for people wherever they are, with the vision of an empathetic world where nobody feels alone.
In 2020, Crisis Text Line supported 843,982 texters in crisis, exchanging nearly 48 million messages through 1.4 million conversations between texters and Crisis Counselors. They also reported widespread dips in depression and suicidal ideation in 2020 compared to the previous year.
Supporting Crisis Text Line is paramount to ensuring their crucial services continue to be available to those in need. You can donate directly through the website via credit card, bank transfer, or Apple Pay, or send crypto. Alternative ways to support them include becoming a partner, making matching gifts, or buying clothing and accessories from their online store.
#4. The Jason Foundation
The Jason Foundation, Inc. (JFI) is a non-profit organization working to prevent the “Silent Epidemic” of youth suicide through educating and increasing awareness programs equipping young people, educators/youth workers, and parents with the knowledge and resources needed to help identify at-risk youths and assist them in their struggles with life.
JFI provides training for schools that are actually mandated by law to receive suicide prevention training every two years from teachers. The Jason Foundation averages more than 140,000 educator pieces of training on their Online Professional Development Library platform each year.
If you would like to donate or get involved, make a one-time or recurring payments directly through the website. You can also get involved by participating in their annual fundraising events and social media campaigns or by downloading their FREE smartphone app, “A Friend Asks.”
#5. Suicide Awareness Voices of Education
Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (SAVE) is a national suicide prevention organization that focuses on awareness, education, and support to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health as well as prevent suicides. In other words, SAVE tirelessly works toward providing resources so people can be educated about suicide, support those who are affected by suicide, and help others aid friends and family members in coping with an impacted loved one.
SAVE has earned praise from the White House as a Champion of Change and received awards for its work in suicide prevention. They have designed the best practices for media reporting, created award-winning media campaigns, the only certification program for safe messaging, and National Media Award.
If you are interested in supporting SAVE’s crucial work in preventing suicides or getting involved yourself, you can make a one-time or recurring donations. You can also get involved by participating in SAVE events, joining or starting a SAVE Charter, fundraising for SAVE, or volunteering your time.
#6. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a network of local crisis centers offering free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Congress designated the new 988 dialing code to be operated through the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline in 2020.
Since 988 was implemented, the lifeline experienced an increase in its call volume by tremendous proportions. In the first six months, over 1.5 million calls were received. This surge in calls says that more people are reaching out for help when needed and an encouraging sign for mental health advocacy and awareness.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline depends on the help of individuals and organizations prepared to pitch in. You may choose to make a contribution directly through the website and support either the program or your local center. Other ways of helping include volunteering or increasing awareness of National Suicide Prevention Month.
#7. Trevor Project
The Trevor Project is an American national non-profit that provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention to LGBTQ under the age of 25 youth. They offer telephone, text, and chat options where trained counselors provide confidential help.
The 2023 US National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ Young People, authored by Trevor Project, outlines the experiences and outcomes of over 28,000 LGBTQ youth aged 13 to 24 across America. They offer educational resources for parents and teachers, helping create welcoming, inclusive environments for every youth everywhere.
If you would like to donate or get involved with The Trevor Project, you can make a one-time donation via PayPal, credit card, bank transfer, or Apple Pay or become a monthly donor. You can also get involved by fundraising, advocating for change, volunteering your time, or working at Trevor.
#8. The Jed Foundation
The Jed Foundation, Inc. (JED) is a not-for-profit organization that protects emotional health and prevents teenage and young adult suicide, giving them the skills and support they need to get themselves through life’s challenges. Collaborating with educational institutions, mental health professionals together with other organizations of its kind, JED works diligently to equip individuals with the necessary tools needed to navigate life’s challenges.
JED’s Love is Loud project hosts an online community of over 250,000 followers and has reached close to 100 million impressions through digital outreach to increase resiliency and connectedness. JED currently works with over 370 higher education institutions representing over 4.8 million students.
You can make one-time or recurring direct donations to the Jed Foundation on their website. You can also get involved by fundraising for JED or volunteering your time.
#9. Samaritans
Samaritans is a registered charity whose aim is to help people in emotional distress throughout the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland through its telephone helpline. Its dedicated volunteers offer that much-needed non-judgmental listening ear round the clock every day of the year. They understand that sometimes people just need someone to talk to, and they are always there to lend an empathetic ear.
To continue making a difference in the lives of countless individuals like James, Samaritans rely heavily on public support and donations. If you wish to contribute to their cause, you can get involved in several ways. You can make a one-time donation via credit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, or PayPal or become a monthly donor. You can also get involved by volunteering your time, fundraising for Samaritans, or participating in their events.
#10. Papyrus UK
Papyrus UK is the national young suicide prevention charity. They offer practical, confidential support and advice to youth struggling with suicidal thoughts as well as anyone worried about a young person through their helpline, HOPELINEUK. Papyrus offers immediate support and guidance to those struggling or worrying over a loved one.
Suicide is the killer of people aged 35 and under in the UK. Papyrus UK believes that they play a preventable role, so they deliver tens of thousands of suicide prevention education and training packages every year to communities nationwide. This creates a community where suicide isn’t tolerated.
Papyrus UK greatly relies on financial contributions from generous individuals and organizations to continue their life-saving work. You can help them by donating money via debit or credit card, cheque, bank transfers, text donations, or even while shopping online in more than 4,000 shops.
#11. To Write Love on Her Arms (TWLOHA)
To Write Love on Her Arms is an American non-profit organization passionate about sharing hope for people experiencing addiction, depression, self-injury, and thoughts of suicide. Their mission is to encourage positive informational inspiration as well as to invest directly in treatment and recovery.
Since 2006, TWLOHA has responded to more than 210,000 messages from people in more than 100 countries worldwide. They’ve traveled more than 3.8 million miles to meet people when needed in their communities and have shared over 1,100 blog posts letting others know that they weren’t alone.
TWLOHA provides various avenues for individuals to donate or get involved. You can make one-time or recurring payments directly through the website, create a memorial campaign, a social media fundraiser, or donate crypto or stock.
#12. Hope For The Day
Hope For The Day (HFTD) is a non-profit organization founded in 2011 that focuses on proactive suicide prevention via mental health education. Collectively, HFTD seeks to empower people with the capability needed to start conversations about mental health, offer resources for seeking help, and ultimately eradicate suicide as a global epidemic.
One inspiring case of HFTD’s impact is seen in its partnership with an inner-city high school where mental health problems were rife. They promoted their educational programs and improved mental health education. Over time, suicide rates within this high school dramatically decreased and proved the transformative effect of HFTD’s interventions.
To support Hope For The Day’s work and contribute towards its mission of proactive suicide prevention, you can make a one-time donation or make recurring payments directly through the website via credit card, bank transfer, or Apple Pay. You can also get involved by volunteering, fundraising for HFTD, or participating in their events.
#13. Suicide Prevention UK
Suicide Prevention UK Charity (SPUK) supports those at risk of suicide throughout the UK. They offer a listening ear that is not judgmental to help people in their darkest hour and signpost individuals to the most appropriate support available during that time.
SPUK raises concern about suicide prevention through campaigns, events, and informational resources. Volunteers dedicated to manning helplines offer immediate emotional support for individuals in crisis or at risk of suicide. These helplines are accessible 24/7 for anyone seeking assistance or someone to talk to.
To support their hard work, you can donate directly through their website. Another way to get involved is by volunteering.
#14. SOS Silence of Suicide
SOS Silence of Suicide is a small charity based in Kenilworth, UK, that operates and supports nationally. It was founded by Michael Mansfield QC and his partner Yvette Greenway in 2015 to break down the stigma surrounding mental health issues and offer support for those struggling with suicidal thoughts and their loved ones.
They campaign for suicide prevention, suicide intervention, suicide awareness, emotional well-being & mental health support. They offer a free phone service seven days a week and also offer support in person and online.
If you wish to contribute to this impactful cause or get involved with SOS Silence of Suicide’s mission, you can make credit & debit card donations through the website, give as you live while shopping online, text to donate, or donate through Payroll giving of the Facebook fundraiser.
#15. Active Minds
Active Minds is the leading national non-profit organization developing young adults’ mental health. Their mission is to alter the conversation about mental health and create a lasting impact on suicide prevention. They have an office presence in more than 1,000 schools, workplaces, and communities, reaching over 1.95 million people through their mental health events.
What sets Active Minds apart from all the rest of the mental health organizations is their unique way of applying student-led chapters in driving their programs and initiatives. These chapters may be found across the United States in colleges and universities. They work towards creating platforms for students to share their experiences and access resources while developing skills in advocating knowledge about mental health.
There are multiple ways for people get involved with Active Minds. You can donate directly through their website via credit card, bank transfer, or Apple Pay. Other ways include starting a fundraiser, subscribing to the newsletter, shopping via their online store, or even contributing with the help of AmazonSmile.
