I volunteered with the Indiana AFSP for 5 years just to be thrown out like garbage! (Which Indiana chapter was just given the best chapter award mind you). I was called and told because of a complaint I was no longer allowed to volunteer. I was so upset, so I decided to dig deeper and require a better explanation. To my surprise the original complaint was not even a thing. I was on a phone call with the Indiana Director and another higher up, when the higher up told me that no one made the original complaint that the Indiana Director said was made! So when I asked the Indiana Director that I’ve volunteered/worked with for the last 5 years wtf on the call she said NOTHING!!
As the phone call goes on I am told I am still unable to volunteer as I have a list of complaints against me…I said “ok, humor me!” From supposedly telling a “Pride” Official that I would not put on a mask while I was outside (which isn’t true) but because a board member that doesn’t like me said I did do that I’m guilty, because he was a board member and they “have to take his word”!! In the 5 years I volunteered I was chair of a walk for 1 year and co-chair for 2 in the first 3 years. I was told after by the Indiana Board President that I was being asked to step down because after 3 years they wanted to rotate the chair to a new person in the committee. (Even though this person has been a different walk chair for much longer). But I went along with it. Then what would have been my 5th year as a volunteer my co-chair for my 2nd-3rd years was starting her 4th year as walk chair, so I said something to the board president that asked me to step down a year prior. She said it didn’t apply to my co-chair because her first 2 years were co-chair not chair; just as 2 of my years were! So I stepped down from the committee for a year to focus on my mental health because obviously AFSP didn’t care about it! I came back to the committee for 2023 and boy do I regret it. The year went fine, walk was great; then the bull crap started flying again. This is when I’m told on the most recent phone call that the now walk chair is complaining that I don’t communicate and that I’m too difficult to work with! To keep it shorter, basically the chair was saying I wasn’t communicating with her about some decisions which weren’t true, 1 OF WHICH I PROVED TO THEM by showing them texts of the communication I made and all they could say is “she’s the chair so we have to take her word for it”.
I am absolutely dumbfounded, people that I thought cared about me flat out lying to and about me and not one of them blinking an eye to defend me. OH, but don’t forget they had the audacity to tell me I could come to the walk and raise money and walk, just not volunteer! I will NEVER volunteer for them again even if they let me. They are supposed to care about people and mental health but if it doesn’t affect them then they don’t care. Luckily I got married in 2022 because if I hadn’t found my person, this is the kind of BS that would have put me in a tailspin and into a depression fighting for my life. Shame on the Indiana leadership and any other ones that treat people the way I was treated. They don’t care about the volunteers, they care how much money their walk made. Since I was one of the go-getters for sponsorships I guess some others will have to make up for their losing me. Good Riddance AFSP, I’ll put my time and money into an organization that cares about their people!
They treated me and other board members, all of whom raised hundreds of thousands of dollars and cemented great partnerships to help the cause, like servants. Do not waste your time with AFSP. There are other organizations more worthy of your time, money and expertise.
I have been volunteering with AFSP for over 7 years. Are there things the organization needs to work on? Absolutely. I've read other people reviews and was disheartening to hear about their experiences. I think think it is important to know that there 73 chapters nationwide... all with their own chapter leadership, structure, and engagement. Unfortunately, your experience is going to depend on what chapter or state you live in. I strongly recommend doing your research on your local chapter before judging the whole organization by a select group of chapters. There are some amazing chapters out there that do incredible work and our lead by caring and responsive individuals... and some that suck.
I would encourage you to not blindly jump into volunteering without researching the activities and methodology of an organization. I see a lot of complaints that AFSP doesn't do support groups. AFSP never has done support groups, and if you failed to do your research in advance, that is on you. AFSP's focus is on advocacy, research, program development, education, and long term structural change. It is macrolevel work, not microlevel. So what does this actually mean and how are the funds used?
First it is important to know that 50% of funds raised state in the local community, while 50% goes to AFSP Nationals. Nationals use the money in the following ways:
* Research - AFSP's funding and grant programs are responsible for most of our current knowledge about suicide. A significant amount of money goes into funding this research, typically through grants for researchers. Research doesn't sound like a big deal because in-and-of-itself, research doesn't prevent suicide. But the research provides the strategies that work in understanding suicidology, risk, and prevention and enables the CORRECT action. It destroys the negative myths about suicide. For example, in the past few years there has been in emphasis on direct questioning regarding suicidal thoughts and plans. Why? Research has shown that asking someone directly if they plan to harm or kill themselves does not increase the likelihood of an attempt... in fact it significantly lowers the chance. This research was funded by AFSP. If you have been trained in QPR, you have directly benefitted from AFSP's research. Every single certified suicide prevention training such as QPR, Kognito, Talk Saves Lives, CIT, and more are based on the research AFSP funds. Pretty much everything we know about suicide prevention and intervention comes from AFSP's resources.
* Advocacy - AFSP's involvement in local, state, and federal government is key to long term structural change. Heard of 988? AFSP's work brought that to fruition. Other pieces of legislation and policy change AFSP has been fighting for: funding for 988 implementation, funding for crisis call centers to hire more crisis counselors, crisis mobile units in the community, stabilization units, more affordable healthcare, banning practices that research has shown leads to an increased risk of suicide, means reduction laws, and more. Why does advocacy need funding? First, you need to have professionals who have experience in these areas to do the work. They have to eat and live somewhere, so you need to pay them a living wage. AFSP also subsidizes travel when it comes to doing work with state and the federal government. To push legislative change, people need to be meeting with their senators and representatives. While there are now more options for doing this virtually, most legislators require you to meet in-person. If you live in California and are traveling to Washington to meet with a senator, AFSP helps with those costs. Otherwise, they wouldn't have the volunteers to do this work because they couldn't afford it. Advocacy and fighting for change costs money.
* Program development - AFSP has over 40 different types of suicide prevention training. They range from the basics to advanced clinician training. There are trainings specific to high risk populations such as veterans, LGBTQ+ individuals, and more. Different programs are more appropriate for different ages and some are based in cultural competencies for specific populations. For example, Gizmo is for 5-11 year olds. It addresses identifying negative emotions, coping skills, and reaching out for help in an age appropriate way. It doesn't mention suicide, but it is focused on helping kids develop skills that have been shown through research to lower the risk of suicidal ideation and attempt. Again, it takes funds to develop these program, provide the materials at no cost, and train people to provide the programs.
* Community based large scale education. Did you know that after receiving such negative feedback regarding how it portrayed suicide in the first season of 13 reasons why, Netflix has not contracted with AFSP? Trained professionals review every script and provide feedback on the messaging and content. Same for several large media companies. The TV show Little Small Things is an another example of this as every script is reviewed and edited to portray suicide and its effects in an appropriate way. AFSP also focuses on education for media. Why? Because research shows that things like reporting the method of death can increase the likelihood of a suicidal individual utilizing that method.
So what about the 50% that stays locally? How is that used? In the chapter I volunteer with it is used for:
* Materials for educational programming. For example, the book that goes along with the Gizmo training is provided free to participants.
* Gun locks and safety tools which are provided at no cost and given to shooting ranges and gun stores to give out for free. Why is this important? Gun locks allow for the owner of the gun to control access to the weapon. If you live with someone who is suicidal, having a gun readily available isn't a good idea. Having a gun lock can restrict access.
* Survivor packets for funeral homes, police, and hospitals. Our chapter provides over 1000 of these in our main city. The local police keep them on hand to give to families and loved ones when responding to a suicide. Funeral homes and hospitals give them to loved ones as well. The packets contain resources for coping with grief and tragedy, as well as local resources that provide direct intervention and treatment such as therapists and grief counselors.
* Bereavement training for clinicians and other similar training for professionals which typically requires a specially trained.
* ASIST training - This is a two day suicide intervention skills training. With travel and lodging for trainers, food costs, materials, and more It costs $6,000 to train 30 people.
* Suicide prevention hotline marketing
* International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day
* Supplies and materials for local area loss support groups. AFSP doesn't host them or lead them, but we provide materials, funding for space, refreshments, etc.
* Tabling costs at events for outreach - We have a table at the state fair every year. This allows us to reach over 100,000 across our state to provide resources.
* and more.
AFSP's mission is not direct support and intervention. It never has been. If you volunteer thinking it is, it means you didn't do your research. If you want to do that type of work, there are many incredible organizations and we would be glad to connect you to them. AFSP's work is large scale, long term, structural change.
Lastly, a bit about my volunteer experience. First of all, volunteering is never glamorous. It is hard work and can be exhausting. I have put in many thankless (and sometimes seemingly pointless) hours into my volunteer work. You don't often get to see the direct impact on saving one's life. AFSP has been pushing chapters to do more for volunteer recognition (but hey... that costs money) and I have noticed a change in the last few years in this area. AFSP has also grown exponentially in the last decade. The reality is there are not enough staff members or volunteers to do all the work that is needed. AFSP is working to double is staff across the country to provide more local support, but again.. this costs money. All this said, it is the most fulfilling work I have done in my life. It has also led me to meeting some of the most amazing people who have made an incredible impact on my life. It also allows me to honor my two family members I lost to suicide. It can be very difficult (physically, mentally, and emotionally)... but my god it is worth it.
A few tips if you are considering volunteering for AFSP:
1. Do your research on your local chapter. Find out where their money goes and how they function. Talk with the leaders (both staff and board members). Find out what the chapter does (or doesn't do).
2. Do not expect AFSP to function as a support group. Do you get support from fellow volunteers and staff? Absolutely! but it's function is to create change, not serve as a support group. Board and committee meetings are run like business meetings.
3. It can be mentally and emotionally draining. Take care of yourself. Set boundaries with your time and work. Get trained in mental health first aid, ASIST, and healing conversations so that you have the skills to handle situations that arise.
4. Honor and remember your love one you loss. Honor and share your personal story... but know that AFSP is not about one individual. So many people are affected by suicide and mental health and everyone affected has a story.
5. Learn about appropriate messaging. We have had to ask volunteers to step down or not participate in certain things because they couldn't do it appropriately. We take messaging very seriously. Do not share means. Do not say things like suicide was inevitable. Don't simplify suicide. Don't portray it as an option. Etc. We will provide training and god knows we are human and all make mistakes. But if it is a continued issue, it will be addressed.
I volunteered and served as a Board Member for a state chapter of AFSP. I raised money for the organization, but my skills were better suited to offer programming, supporting survivors of suicide loss, and training. I spent 9 years serving this organization only to be asked to leave my Board position and I was forbidden from volunteering for this organization in the future. I was notified of this, unexpectedly and suddenly, by 2 members of the National Board I had never met, and had never personally seen my work. I was never given reasons why I could no longer serve on the Board or as a volunteer.
Over the 9 years, i became increasingly concerned about this organization's model of volunteer management. I found it to be abusive. It is run similarly to a "puppy mill" operation. They recruit volunteers who are commonly survivors of suicide loss and/or people who have experienced mental health concerns or suicidal thoughts (people who are very vulnerable). The mentality is to "produce" as many volunteers, offer limited training, take advantage of the volunteers' pain by leading them to believe they are honoring their loved one by raising funds, teaching, advocating and using them up only to cast them aside as new volunteers come into the organization. There is only one paid staff member charged with training and supporting a state full of volunteers. The fundraising, advocacy, program implementation, walk organizing....is done exclusively by volunteers. It is a set up for burnout among the volunteer workers.
The organization has no consistent plan for using the funds raised in each state.
The manner in which this organization used me and cast me aside created the very scenario they train to prevent. They created an environment that took away my hope, left me confused, accused, abandoned; the very events this organization teaches are precursors to thoughts of suicide.
I've waited to post this review so I had opportunity to gain perspective. It is not "Sour Grapes". It is "beware"; Protect yourself.
Work and donate to local groups who can be held accountable for the model they use and the way they manage volunteers.
I stumbled upon this charity after I lost my 12 year old son in 2003. I started volunteering for them as a volunteer at the Out of the Darkness Walk at Kensington Park in Michigan. I soon was chairing the event and also as a coordinator for the Survivor Outreach Program, helping the national office with interviews for potential volunteers for the program, and sitting on the board. After struggling to keep the board "afloat" (15 years exactly) we were in a position to hire a director and start spending money on local programs. Our board was in the red at the time my husband and I took over and after years of hard work, improving our walks to net out over $100,000 a walk, we increased our bottom line to $300,000. We hired the director and thought that things were going to start changing and programs were going to be implemented. It soon was obvious that AFSP was not really interested in "keeping the money local" and investing in local programs, all the walks were just "fundraising" and the chapter was spending time investing in fundraising, not people.
When I was chairing the walk, I would receive many phone calls, or emails about not wanting to ask their friends and family for money, but they wanted to walk. I was told it was a fundraiser, not charity....not charity???? This was an event that was supposed to help families heal??!!! If you are interested in a Michigan based suicide prevention organization, there are plenty to pick from. Do not give your money to this one.
I find it disappointing to see negative reviews for this organization. We are all human and the vast majority of people that “work” for AFSP are actually volunteers with their own stories of loss or personal struggle. These events and walks can be just as painful and emotional for all of us. However, these reviews are intended to be on an entire organization and its mission and not on an interaction that one may have had with an individual person or volunteer.
Research, advocacy, education and loss & healing programs require money, there is no way around it. The amount of time, effort, compassion and dedication put into continuously moving the needle forward in the field of Suicide Prevention, by both Staff and volunteers, is nothing short of heroic.
I have been a volunteer and staff for AFSP. I have seen both sides and I know how much each and every person gives of themselves. AFSP is a unique organization in that each chapter has very few staff (if any) and it is the volunteers that truly help keep things running. If you want to see more programming in your community- volunteer! Bring it to your schools, your places of work, your colleges! Suicide Prevention relies on ALL of us to make a difference.
Review from Guidestar
i suffered from suicidal thoughts and attempts, a couple of relatives died by suicide, friends...and it hurts me that families and friends and strangers notice the danger signs more often than not but prefer to ignore because of many reasons, not realizing what they are doing. it hurts that so many veterans (and some presently serving ) kill themselves. educating helps! and necessary.....please help, every little bit helps! you too can help saves lives with your donation. and thank you
Review from Guidestar
I was a volunteer board member for a couple years. I'm a survivor of suicide loss. I was stunned at how fast the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Area Director and other national leaders and local volunteers turned from welcoming me, into pressuring me to give and raise money and a lot of free labor. I was asked to solicit money from a 20-year old who just lost her best friend to suicide--not to mention my own family and friends who they wanted money from year after year. What really spoiled the AFSP for me was going to their national conferences, seeing how decked-out they are and knowing that their executives get paid over $300,000 per year!!! All this and not any programs of quality in my community. I say this now to anyone thinking of donating or volunteering with the AFSP: you deserve better and there are better suicide-prevention organizations doing real work out there.
I came upon AFSP 9 years ago when I lost 2 people in the span of 2 weeks. My life changed forever when I participated in that years overnight walk. I've been walking and raising awareness ever since. I also have been raising money, but that has never been the focus of AFSP. Raising awareness to help fight the stigma of mental illness and letting people know that they are not alone is the focus. In 9 years, I've watched AFSP build what I describe as a movement across 50 states and around the world. I've also watched and participated as they have fought on the Federal, State, and Local level to pass laws to help people who struggle and need help. I've had the opportunity to meet and speak with people in management at AFSP and always get quick responses when in need. I've never been associated with a better group of people and have never seen any organization create as much change in this world as AFSP. They do all this with only 17% of donations going to expenses. Every single year I do the walk and raise awareness, I am told by at least one person that I saved their life. Multiply that by 240,000 people who walked last year and you can't even begin to imagine the positive affect of AFSP. Most of all, those 240,000 people who have all been affected in one way or another got to be with each other..Knowing you're not alone is the greatest gift people suffering can receive. Thank You AFSP.
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) is a multi-million dollar nonprofit whose executives are paid well over $300,000 per year, which is far above the average income for executives of charities of similar size. The AFSP draws out those who have suffered suicide loss, or those who lived through the experience of an attempt at their "Out of the Darkness Walks" throughout the country, then pump them for their story, and then press them harder and harder to raise money, money, and more money. It becomes worse the longer you work with them. As a volunteer and chapter board member, after I donated and raised many thousands of dollars and after my chapter raised hundreds of thousands of dollars, AFSP staff offered just one pathetic PowerPoint presentation in our community. The AFSP does not even run a suicide lifeline or any support group! Your money and time are better spent on local organizations that actually perform suicide prevention functions, not one like the AFSP that just profits off your loss. And as for the "research" the AFSP claims it funds, you're better off donating to organizations that actually do consistent and credible research in the area of suicide prevention, such as The American Association of Suicidology (http://www.suicidology.org) or the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (http://actionallianceforsuicideprevention.org).
I've been wanting to volunteer somehow to help mental illness and suicide. I came across a walk coming up in my area by AFSP. I was planning on signing up but my gut told me to Google this agency and I'm glad I did. The stories I read here are sad. I'm not going put my money and time into an agency that won't help local communities. Thanks for the reviews.
Review from Guidestar
I was rudely dismissed by a volunteer in November at the AFSP walk in Atlanta Georgia. The volunteers and staff would gladly take my money , but were by no means interested in answering questions. A stranger, or in this case, a volunteer or staff member could have easily been responsive about such a sensitive subject. Sometimes responding to a stranger can be the difference between life and death and anyone working with this organization should know that. I urge you not to give to AFSP Georgia.
Found ourselves in this world 4 years ago and have worked with a local organization that provides many services and support. This group merely operates to raise funds from the walks, to generate more funds for more walks. And they suck all the money. I don't get it, other than people feel like they're helping somehow. They're not.
Review from Guidestar
I was the chair of a chapter in pa and was appalled when we asked for a training and was refused. We had 8 years of walks, raising well over $100,000. The amount I asked for was $2100.00 for a training from the Suicide a Prevention Resource Center, and they refused because the program wasn't "theirs". I could order $3,000.00 of travel cups with AFSP written on it without being questioned, but a training for helping people was turned down.
The mug just had their name on it, not even the lifeline number! Very very angry, because they sell their walks by saying we can get community programs, but only theirs! I would never give to this organization, all they do is promote the self!
I have no idea what any of the people who are criticizing this organization are talking about. I have raised around $2000 for AFSP in the past two years and they are the most wonderful non-profit I have ever had the privilege to serve. After becoming a suicide survivor in the summer of 2013 AFSP was a great comfort to me as they supplied me with the tools and the resources to learn about suicide and what to do in its aftermath. Their National Survivors of Suicide Day event strongly supported me in my time of grief. I have taken part in the Out of the Darkness Overnight, AFSP's national event, and it was truly life changing. The coaches, walkers and staff supported me every step of the way during my 16 mile trek and during the fundraising. It was one of the most incredible experiences of my life. I also volunteered for the Out of the Darkness Community Walk in my area, and I have to say that was very well run, very fun, and very comforting to me. As a Field Advocate I have been able to help direct our government towards more friendly laws for mental health patients, and now I am organizing a campus walk at my school. AFSP is the leader for suicide research and they do everything they can to prevent suicide in the future. The only thing I really have to say is that I sometimes wish that they would get back to me faster, but I guess this can be understood seeing as how they only have so many staff. Unless something drastic happens, I am a volunteer for them for life.
We have raised over 8,000 dollars for the AFSP in the past two years. We can get no help for local services and this year, they couldn't even be bothered to send a person to our walk. They sent plenty of instructions on how to collect their money though. I believe our community will be better served to have a suicide prevention walk of our own and bring prevention programs, as well as programs for families of those who have died by suicide to our own area. I find it unspeakably callous that this organization would not send anyone to a walk they knew would be attended by grieving loved ones. Disgraceful!
Manipulation, deception and half-truths seem to be a way of life for this organization. I have my experience as a walk coordinator with them well-documented. After being told by the executive director that he wasn't interested in hearing what I had to say, I not only reported it to the IRS, but told the board what I saw, as well. The sad part is that they aren't denying what happened, they just think by ignoring it, no one will notice, and they don't feel what they are doing is wrong, either. When I quit, the regional director allowed and even encouraged the chapter chair to steal my email address and refused to make him return it to me. She even supported him when he lied to the police, and even told the police she didn't feel what he did was wrong. When I got my 1099, they didn't include all of the money I received, and don't have any intention on giving me a new one. Where is the integrity in the people who run this place? All they want is your money and they don't care who they have to step on, screw or otherwise manipulate to get it.
Review from CharityNavigator