SPAN

The Suicide Prevention Action Network USA (SPAN USA) ** If you are in crisis or need immediate help dial 9-1-1 or call 1-800-273-TALK.  
 * [[image:PFAcover.jpg width="205" height="377" caption="Brochure"]]
 * In 1996 Gerald and Elsie Weyrauch founded the organization after losing their daughter to suicide. This organization was built to raise awareness about suicide and reach out to the community for support in addressing the issue. It is the only organization where people who have attempted suicide and those who have lost a loved one to suicide work together to prevent such a tragedy. Gerald and Elsie hoped to create a way for people to transform their grief over suicide into something positive. **
 * Mission: **
 * SPAN USA is dedicated to preventing suicide through public education and awareness, community engagement, and federal, state and local grassroots advocacy. By empowering those who have been touched by suicide, SPAN USA seeks to advance the implementation of the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention. **
 * Why is SPAN USA Important? **
 * SPAN USA is available for anyone who is interested in becoming a suicide advocate. All you have to do is visit the site (linked below) and read information about suicide. The statistic rates are alarming. It is evident that suicide is a huge problem that needs to be addressed. By becoming involved with this program people are helping to spread the word about suicide. The more public awareness of the issue- the more likely government officials are to enact some sort of programs for suicide prevention. SPAN USA has already helped develop prevention plans passed by Congress that recognize suicide as a national problem. Such plans include: The Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act and the Joshua Omvig Veterans Suicide Prevention Act. Along with these two acts, SPAN USA has helped form a national Suicide Prevention Resource Center, establish a suicide hotline, and developed a National Strategy for Suicide Prevention. By becoming part of this organization you can help promote suicide awareness. If someone you know is thinking about suicide you should direct them to the site which provides useful information about suicide along with help center information. Their site includes the following: **

Amanda's Thoughts:
==SPAN USA is an extremely educational tool that students may utilize for information about suicide. If a student's friend admits to him that he or she has suicidal thoughts the student may access the website to find information about suicide. Suicide is a scary thing. Young students may not know how to handle information that their friends have thought or even attempted suicide. This website can help students understand suicide better and find ways to help their friend erase such thoughts. The same goes for if the student himself has had thoughts of this sort. In order to avoid a tragedy the student may use this tool. Suicide prevention is crucial to the lives of teenagers. Most people have a tough time growing up and especially throughout high school. Sometimes people feel as if they cannot possibly take anything else life has to offer and they simply quit. When I was in high school a friend of mine committed suicide. She seemed to be a fun going, happy person. No one had any idea that she was wanted to end her life. Losing her was tragic and I feel very close to this program. I wonder if she had the tools to fight such awful feelings, maybe she would be alive and well today. If a person is feeling this way they deserve help. No one should have to suffer with thoughts of depression or hopes of death. This advocacy gets the word out to children and could save someone's life. As well as the potential to save someone's life, I feel as though the program is useful to link the community with the government in developing suicide plans. All in all I think SPAN is a wonderful program ==

Suicide Prevention Action Network USA (SPAN USA) 1010 Vermont Avenue, NW, Suite 408 Washington, DC 20005 Phone: (202) 449-3600 Fax: (202) 449-3601 E-mail: info@spanusa.org
 * Contact Information: **