Support Team Providence - Coastal Region, as we join together to prevent suicide in the Out of the Darkness Greater Los Angeles Walk - Santa Monica October 19, 2024.

In the United States, as of 2020 (most current verified data printed in 2022):

1. 45,979 people died by suicide in the U.S. making it the 12th leading cause of death
2. Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for ages 20-34
3. Over a third of people who died by suicide were 55 or older.
4. Males were 3.9x more likely to die by suicide; females were 1.8x more likely to attempt
5. 1.2 million suicide attempts were made. 10% of adults have thoughts of suicide.
6. 54% of Americans have been affected by suicide in some way
7. AFSP is the largest private funder of suicide prevention research in the country
8. AFSP works with Congress on advocacy and public policy, presents interactive screening tools to colleges, police departments, emergency departments & fortune 500 companies and brings programs to high schools, colleges and educators such as "More than Sad" and "Talk Saves Lives" that helps increase awareness on mental health issues

Find out more at afsp.org  

This year's annual 2024 AFSP fundraising walk will take place October 19th on the Santa Monica Pier.  Over 200K participants in cities all across the U. S. will come together during their Chapter's annual walk in an effort to raise awareness and funding for research, education, and support for the very real crisis that suicide has become.  All caregivers, their family and friends from all the Southern California ministries and beyond, are invited to join together for this event. 

The partnership between Providence and AFSP provides critical visibility to Providence mental health programs and the services people need.  Depression is a major underlying cause of suicide and is the most treatable psychiatric illness with 80-90% responding positively to treatments, but it has to first be recognized.  We can all have a part in this work as this platform provides engagement opportunities for our caregivers to open up about their own struggles or loss experiences and enables us to have a conversation about mental health.  AFSP's mission is to save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide.

As a Providence nurse who has worked in Intensive Care at our Torrance ministry for almost 28 years, I have cared for and helped many patients who were on life support after surviving their suicide attempt.  I never thought that someday I would be in need of emotional life support for the same devastating reason.  

My son, David Sliff, died by suicide on December 31, 2017, at his home where he lived with me.  He was 23, a physics major and struggled with severe clinical depression. He wanted to live and tried desperately to get help. He researched all his medications, applied to clinical trials, worked with his psychiatrist and sought out brain studies and special diets to boost his brain function. He knew he had a brain abnormality and was determined to find the right medication to alleviate the pain of his depression. Instead of finding help, he eventually loss his battle.  

In the months following David's death, I became aware of the several times he rallied and didn't go through with taking his life.  It's possible that if he had become involved with an organization like AFSP sooner it may have helped him.  It is for that reason I am committed to helping others through this organization devoted to research and education in order to help save other lives.

You can best support Providence Little Company of Mary - LA, by registering to be a team member and making a donation. Just click the "join our team" button above. Donations are 100% tax deductible with the totals going towards the team goal.

Thank you!

Kathy Welch, Team Captain for Team Providence-Coastal Region and forever David's mom

Pre Covid Santa Monica Walk 2019