Every year The Out of the Darkness Overnight Walk, benefits the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, by raising awareness of suicide and depression, raising money for research and education, and providing assistance and a safe outlet for survivors of suicide. Our guest is Mike Lamma, EVP and COO of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, for details on the New York City Walk on June 21. For more, visit afsp.org.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:01):
Welcome to Get Connected with Nina del Rio, a weekly
conversation about fitness, health and happenings in our community on
one oh six point seven light FM.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Thank you for listening to get connected. After losing someone
to suicide, I think anyone who's been impacted would agree
that the grief doesn't go away, it just changes every year.
The Out of the Darkness Overnight Walk benefits the American
Foundation for Suicide Prevention by raising awareness on suicide and depression,
(00:32):
raising money for research and education, and providing assistance and
a safe outlet for survivors. Our guest is Mike Lama,
EVP and COO of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
We are discussing their work and the New York City
Out of the Darkness Overnight Walk coming up on June
twenty first. Mike Lama, thank you for being on the show.
Speaker 3 (00:53):
My pleasure, Thanks for having me.
Speaker 2 (00:55):
The website is AFSP dot org. The Overnight Walks. This
is an event, a movement that you were actually instrumental
in establishing. Where did the origin come from?
Speaker 3 (01:07):
The event started?
Speaker 4 (01:09):
The very first event was in two thousand and three
and it was in the Washington, DC area. It was
by far and away the largest event of this type
for suicide prevention at that time and then since then,
and this was actually done the first year was done
as a third party event.
Speaker 3 (01:27):
Someone else did.
Speaker 4 (01:28):
It for us and gave the proceeds to us, which
was really nice because in those days we were a
tiny little organization and we couldn't have afforded to produce
an event like this.
Speaker 3 (01:39):
Since then, we have.
Speaker 4 (01:40):
Now incorporated the Out of the Darkness name into our
Overnight event, which we do every year. And also we
also have community walks that take place in the fall,
which are your more traditional walks, three mile walk, that.
Speaker 3 (01:55):
Kind of thing. And then also we have campus walks.
Speaker 4 (01:58):
So the Avid Darkness name is sort of a brand
series for us with three different walks.
Speaker 3 (02:04):
But obviously today we're here to talk about the Overnight.
Speaker 2 (02:06):
The Overnight is in New York on June twenty first.
Why do you think they have grown so much?
Speaker 4 (02:13):
Well, I think the thing that we discovered is that
there was a real need for this, that it gives
people the opportunity to come together and to see And
I can't tell you how many times family have said
to me over the years, thank you all for putting
this on so that we could come out and see
(02:34):
that our family is not alone. So I think we
were meeting a real need both in bringing people together
and raising awareness and helping people who'd lost someone connect
with other people who'd lost someone, and also for people
who struggle themselves or have family members who struggle with
their mental health issues, and it gives them the opportunity
(02:57):
to come together and build this real sense of community,
to support each other and to draw strength from each
other and help them all in their healing journeys. And
also it raised significant awareness around this issue. And also
we've raised a lot of money over the years, which
has helped us really grow the organization and invest in
(03:19):
our mission, which is to save lives and to bring
hope to those who've been impacted by suicide.
Speaker 2 (03:26):
There's a statistic that you cite that for every individual
loss to suicide, one hundred and thirty five people are affected.
And I always find that number so striking. What does
that signify to you?
Speaker 4 (03:38):
You know, it signifies to me that none of us
have to look very far to find how suicide has
impacted our lives, while a lot of people have lost
close family members or that kind of but even those
who haven't. We don't have to go very far to
find that connection to the issue of suicide.
Speaker 2 (03:58):
You've been doing this work long time. You joined AFSP
over twenty years ago. What led you to get involved
in this movement.
Speaker 4 (04:07):
I've been a nonprofit professional all my life. They were
looking for someone to come in and fill a specific.
Speaker 3 (04:15):
Role that matched up well with me. Plus, I have
a strong interest in the cause.
Speaker 4 (04:20):
I have family members who are impacted by mental health issues.
I've lost friends and more distant relatives to suicide. So
it was an issue that resonated with me and it
just seemed to be the right place at the right
time for me. A lot of things came together and
it just seemed to work out well.
Speaker 2 (04:38):
Our guest is Mike Lama. He's EVP and COO of
the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. AFSP is dedicated to
saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide,
including those who've experienced a loss. The New York City
Out of the Darkness Overnight Walk is June twenty first.
You can find out more at AFSP dot org. You're
(04:58):
listening to get connected on one six point seven Light FM.
I'mina del rio. Let's talk about a little bit about
what AFSP does. How do you make a difference in
suicide prevention? What are some of the ways?
Speaker 3 (05:10):
Sure?
Speaker 4 (05:10):
Sort of the underlying part of everything that we do
and how we first started was as a research organization.
We were founded in nineteen eighty seven by a handful
of families who'd lost someone to suicide and a handful
of researchers who came together because there was little or
no research being done into why people took their lives,
(05:33):
and in fact, the prevailing thought in those days was well,
if someone wants to take their life, there's nothing you
can do about it, which shows you how far the
science and the knowledge has evolved over the years. So
that's how we got started, and research is still a
critical part of what we do. We're the largest private
funder of research at this very moment in time. We're
(05:53):
funding about thirty million dollars in research, and really all
of the major therapies and treatments and things that are
used to help people who are struggling and having suicidal
ideation have come out of research that we've funded, and
many of our researchers that we funded have gone on
(06:14):
to then get more significant funding from the National Institute's
of Mental Health and all that. So really the pre
eminent people in the field have at one time or
another been funded by us, and we've helped them in
their journey. And one of the things that we try
to do is to fund a lot of younger researchers
(06:34):
to get them involved in this field. Because it wasn't
that long ago there weren't that many people excuse me
conducting research, but now I'm happy to say that we
have a very rigorous review process. We receive a lot
of applications to receive funding from US, and so that's
(06:55):
one of the major things we do is research, but
also education dating people about suicide. As I said, early on,
people thought, well, we can't talk.
Speaker 3 (07:05):
Talk about suicide.
Speaker 4 (07:06):
If I talk to you about suicide, I might plant
the idea in your head.
Speaker 3 (07:11):
Again, that's completely turned on its head.
Speaker 4 (07:13):
We know that if you think someone is struggling, the
best thing you can do is talk to them and
ask flat and ask them are you thinking of taking
your life? And it sounds so simple and and so easy,
but it's kind of awkward to have that conversation, but
we really encourage it That's one thing anyone can do
if you're concerned about a friend or a family member,
(07:35):
talk to them, ask them how.
Speaker 3 (07:36):
They're doing well.
Speaker 2 (07:38):
There's something so interesting now too, about how the conversations
around mental health do not have the stigma they used to.
People will talk about it regarding all sorts of things.
How has that impacted or how has that opened up opportunities,
you think for conversations with people who might not have
been a receptive before, especially let's say.
Speaker 4 (07:57):
Men, right well, and of course you know you might
not be surprised. Middle aged men in rural areas are
the most high risk population. Men don't typically like to
talk about their feelings. You know, the macho culture is
you suck it up and fight through it. And you know,
in rural areas there's less access to mental health care
(08:19):
and those types of things.
Speaker 3 (08:20):
So but I think what.
Speaker 4 (08:22):
We've found over the years is, you know, and one
of the frustrating things is we can't measure something it
doesn't happen, So we sort of know intuitively we've saved
a lot of lives over the years because of people
talking to each other, because we've been able to raise awareness,
because people are supporting each other. But you can't prove
that really, you know, anecdotally, and I've had a lot
(08:43):
of people come up to me and say this organization
is saved my life. And that's certainly an overpowering and
overwhelming sentiment when someone tells you that, But it shows
you the value of our organization and the work that
we do.
Speaker 2 (08:56):
I would like to change gears for just a moment,
because as we have this conversation in April, it's been
reported that the Department of Health and Human Services plan
to cut the National Suicide Hotline for LGBTQ youth. In February,
that program received an average of twenty one hundred contacts
per day. Right prove those cuts would go into effect
in October. Your thoughts on that.
Speaker 4 (09:19):
Well, we're certainly opposed to any cuts to funding to
the nine to eight hotline, and especially for the LGBTQ
plus component of it.
Speaker 3 (09:31):
It is a simple matter.
Speaker 4 (09:32):
Research shows that members of the LGBTQ community are to
higher risk for suicide than non members of that community.
So we're simply, you know, we're simply basing things on
the research and the science and what it tells. Us
AFSP's and non partisan organization it's suicide effects Democrats, Republicans, independents,
(09:55):
and everyone else. I always joke I want them all
to participate and raise MO for us, no matter what
their political beliefs are. But what we stand by is
what the science tells us. And we know that people
are in high risk communities and we need to make
sure services are available to them, just like for veterans
and middle aged men in rural areas. As I mentioned earlier,
(10:17):
those are all high risk communities and we're opposed to
any cuts that would affect services in those areas.
Speaker 2 (10:23):
Back to the Out of the Darkness Walk. It is
June twenty first in Manhattan. A little more on the details.
It starts at the Intrepid Sea Air and Space Museum,
which is peer eighty six West forty sixth Street in Manhattan,
right there on the water. It's a sixteen mile walk.
Everybody's at their own pace. What else do we need
to know?
Speaker 4 (10:41):
So we encourage people to get there early and get
registered to beat the long lines.
Speaker 3 (10:46):
But also.
Speaker 4 (10:48):
And even if you can't participate, even if you say, well,
I can't walk sixteen miles or whatever, I encourage you
to come and attend the opening ceremonies because it's a
really powerful ceremony, and you know, we have it at
the Intrepid because obviously it's you know, we look for
places where it's it's a good place to stage the
(11:09):
event and all those kind of things, but also because
of the the symbolism and connection to the military, you know,
and part of our work is dedicated to preventing suicide
with active duty military and veterans. So it starts there,
and then you wind your way through New York City.
(11:30):
There are rest stops along the way where you can hydrate,
get snacks whatever. Around midnight, we have what's called the
Midnight Meal where you can get like a sandwich and
all that and wind your way back and people start arribving.
Some people arrive back at about one o'clock in the
morning and some straggle in about five o'clock in the morning.
(11:53):
So and that's okay. And also if you walk and
you feel like you can't finish, we have sweep vehicles
will pick.
Speaker 3 (12:01):
You up and bring you back to the finish line.
Speaker 4 (12:03):
And you know, what's important is not whether you walked
sixteen miles or not. What's important is that you're lending
your voice and your efforts to suicide prevention.
Speaker 2 (12:14):
I would also like to say, as someone who works
weird overnight hours, sometimes walking around in the city at
night is kind of fascinating but a little scary if
you're by yourself. Now you're going to be with a group,
and it's going to be, you know, kind of a
departure from what you might expect, I think as far
as participating in a fundraising.
Speaker 4 (12:32):
Right, So anyone who's concerned about that, you know, we
we work closely with the police department. We try to
map the route out so that it's we're staying in
well lit areas, that kind of thing. We if necessary,
we can we close intersections and things so that you know,
(12:52):
so it's walker safety is paramount, and we also don't
want anyone to walk by themselves, and not just for physical,
say safety reasons, but for emotional safety reasons.
Speaker 3 (13:02):
We want you to be with other people.
Speaker 4 (13:04):
And the one thing people find out we see this
all the time. People will come in Let's say they'll
come in from Omaha, Nebraska, and they don't know anybody,
and they'll just meet up up with other people and
then they become fast friends and lifelong friends. You know,
but we we don't everyone anyone walking by themselves because
we want them to feel supported both from a physical
(13:26):
safety perspective but also for emotional safety.
Speaker 2 (13:30):
It is an amazing experience. AFSP does so much valuable work.
We only have about a minute left. I want to
mention that so much of your work is made possible
through volunteering as well.
Speaker 4 (13:41):
Yes, we could not do the work we do without
our volunteers.
Speaker 3 (13:45):
It is to me.
Speaker 4 (13:46):
You know, over the years we've grown dramatically. We've been
a very successful organization. And my colleagues and other organizations
will say, what's your secret to your success? And I
always say, it's very simple. We have this incredible, passionate
group of volunteers, many who've suffered this horrific loss, and
they've chosen to channel their grief into doing something to
(14:11):
help other people.
Speaker 3 (14:12):
And it's just incredible. So we couldn't do what we do.
Speaker 4 (14:15):
So I want to give a shout out to all
of our volunteers all over the country for all the
great work they do. And if and when out there's
interested in volunteering, just go to our website, reach out
to your local chapter.
Speaker 3 (14:27):
We'd love to put you to work. Have you help
out with our efforts.
Speaker 2 (14:32):
You can find out more about volunteering and the New
York City Out of the Darkness Overnight Walk on June
twenty first at AFSP dot org. Mike lama Is with
the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Thank you for being
on Get Connected.
Speaker 3 (14:46):
My Pleasure. Thanks so much for having me.
Speaker 1 (14:49):
This has been Get Connected with Nina del Rio on
ONEHO six point seven light Fm. The views and opinions
of our guests do not necessarily reflect the views of
the station. If you missed any part of our show
or want to share it, visit our website for downloads
and podcasts at one O six seven lightfm dot com.
Thanks for listening.
Welcome to Get Connected with Nina del Rio, a weekly
conversation about fitness, health and happenings in our community on
one oh six point seven light FM.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Thank you for listening to get connected. After losing someone
to suicide, I think anyone who's been impacted would agree
that the grief doesn't go away, it just changes every year.
The Out of the Darkness Overnight Walk benefits the American
Foundation for Suicide Prevention by raising awareness on suicide and depression,
(00:32):
raising money for research and education, and providing assistance and
a safe outlet for survivors. Our guest is Mike Lama,
EVP and COO of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
We are discussing their work and the New York City
Out of the Darkness Overnight Walk coming up on June
twenty first. Mike Lama, thank you for being on the show.
Speaker 3 (00:53):
My pleasure, Thanks for having me.
Speaker 2 (00:55):
The website is AFSP dot org. The Overnight Walks. This
is an event, a movement that you were actually instrumental
in establishing. Where did the origin come from?
Speaker 3 (01:07):
The event started?
Speaker 4 (01:09):
The very first event was in two thousand and three
and it was in the Washington, DC area. It was
by far and away the largest event of this type
for suicide prevention at that time and then since then,
and this was actually done the first year was done
as a third party event.
Speaker 3 (01:27):
Someone else did.
Speaker 4 (01:28):
It for us and gave the proceeds to us, which
was really nice because in those days we were a
tiny little organization and we couldn't have afforded to produce
an event like this.
Speaker 3 (01:39):
Since then, we have.
Speaker 4 (01:40):
Now incorporated the Out of the Darkness name into our
Overnight event, which we do every year. And also we
also have community walks that take place in the fall,
which are your more traditional walks, three mile walk, that.
Speaker 3 (01:55):
Kind of thing. And then also we have campus walks.
Speaker 4 (01:58):
So the Avid Darkness name is sort of a brand
series for us with three different walks.
Speaker 3 (02:04):
But obviously today we're here to talk about the Overnight.
Speaker 2 (02:06):
The Overnight is in New York on June twenty first.
Why do you think they have grown so much?
Speaker 4 (02:13):
Well, I think the thing that we discovered is that
there was a real need for this, that it gives
people the opportunity to come together and to see And
I can't tell you how many times family have said
to me over the years, thank you all for putting
this on so that we could come out and see
(02:34):
that our family is not alone. So I think we
were meeting a real need both in bringing people together
and raising awareness and helping people who'd lost someone connect
with other people who'd lost someone, and also for people
who struggle themselves or have family members who struggle with
their mental health issues, and it gives them the opportunity
(02:57):
to come together and build this real sense of community,
to support each other and to draw strength from each
other and help them all in their healing journeys. And
also it raised significant awareness around this issue. And also
we've raised a lot of money over the years, which
has helped us really grow the organization and invest in
(03:19):
our mission, which is to save lives and to bring
hope to those who've been impacted by suicide.
Speaker 2 (03:26):
There's a statistic that you cite that for every individual
loss to suicide, one hundred and thirty five people are affected.
And I always find that number so striking. What does
that signify to you?
Speaker 4 (03:38):
You know, it signifies to me that none of us
have to look very far to find how suicide has
impacted our lives, while a lot of people have lost
close family members or that kind of but even those
who haven't. We don't have to go very far to
find that connection to the issue of suicide.
Speaker 2 (03:58):
You've been doing this work long time. You joined AFSP
over twenty years ago. What led you to get involved
in this movement.
Speaker 4 (04:07):
I've been a nonprofit professional all my life. They were
looking for someone to come in and fill a specific.
Speaker 3 (04:15):
Role that matched up well with me. Plus, I have
a strong interest in the cause.
Speaker 4 (04:20):
I have family members who are impacted by mental health issues.
I've lost friends and more distant relatives to suicide. So
it was an issue that resonated with me and it
just seemed to be the right place at the right
time for me. A lot of things came together and
it just seemed to work out well.
Speaker 2 (04:38):
Our guest is Mike Lama. He's EVP and COO of
the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. AFSP is dedicated to
saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide,
including those who've experienced a loss. The New York City
Out of the Darkness Overnight Walk is June twenty first.
You can find out more at AFSP dot org. You're
(04:58):
listening to get connected on one six point seven Light FM.
I'mina del rio. Let's talk about a little bit about
what AFSP does. How do you make a difference in
suicide prevention? What are some of the ways?
Speaker 3 (05:10):
Sure?
Speaker 4 (05:10):
Sort of the underlying part of everything that we do
and how we first started was as a research organization.
We were founded in nineteen eighty seven by a handful
of families who'd lost someone to suicide and a handful
of researchers who came together because there was little or
no research being done into why people took their lives,
(05:33):
and in fact, the prevailing thought in those days was well,
if someone wants to take their life, there's nothing you
can do about it, which shows you how far the
science and the knowledge has evolved over the years. So
that's how we got started, and research is still a
critical part of what we do. We're the largest private
funder of research at this very moment in time. We're
(05:53):
funding about thirty million dollars in research, and really all
of the major therapies and treatments and things that are
used to help people who are struggling and having suicidal
ideation have come out of research that we've funded, and
many of our researchers that we funded have gone on
(06:14):
to then get more significant funding from the National Institute's
of Mental Health and all that. So really the pre
eminent people in the field have at one time or
another been funded by us, and we've helped them in
their journey. And one of the things that we try
to do is to fund a lot of younger researchers
(06:34):
to get them involved in this field. Because it wasn't
that long ago there weren't that many people excuse me
conducting research, but now I'm happy to say that we
have a very rigorous review process. We receive a lot
of applications to receive funding from US, and so that's
(06:55):
one of the major things we do is research, but
also education dating people about suicide. As I said, early on,
people thought, well, we can't talk.
Speaker 3 (07:05):
Talk about suicide.
Speaker 4 (07:06):
If I talk to you about suicide, I might plant
the idea in your head.
Speaker 3 (07:11):
Again, that's completely turned on its head.
Speaker 4 (07:13):
We know that if you think someone is struggling, the
best thing you can do is talk to them and
ask flat and ask them are you thinking of taking
your life? And it sounds so simple and and so easy,
but it's kind of awkward to have that conversation, but
we really encourage it That's one thing anyone can do
if you're concerned about a friend or a family member,
(07:35):
talk to them, ask them how.
Speaker 3 (07:36):
They're doing well.
Speaker 2 (07:38):
There's something so interesting now too, about how the conversations
around mental health do not have the stigma they used to.
People will talk about it regarding all sorts of things.
How has that impacted or how has that opened up opportunities,
you think for conversations with people who might not have
been a receptive before, especially let's say.
Speaker 4 (07:57):
Men, right well, and of course you know you might
not be surprised. Middle aged men in rural areas are
the most high risk population. Men don't typically like to
talk about their feelings. You know, the macho culture is
you suck it up and fight through it. And you know,
in rural areas there's less access to mental health care
(08:19):
and those types of things.
Speaker 3 (08:20):
So but I think what.
Speaker 4 (08:22):
We've found over the years is, you know, and one
of the frustrating things is we can't measure something it
doesn't happen, So we sort of know intuitively we've saved
a lot of lives over the years because of people
talking to each other, because we've been able to raise awareness,
because people are supporting each other. But you can't prove
that really, you know, anecdotally, and I've had a lot
(08:43):
of people come up to me and say this organization
is saved my life. And that's certainly an overpowering and
overwhelming sentiment when someone tells you that, But it shows
you the value of our organization and the work that
we do.
Speaker 2 (08:56):
I would like to change gears for just a moment,
because as we have this conversation in April, it's been
reported that the Department of Health and Human Services plan
to cut the National Suicide Hotline for LGBTQ youth. In February,
that program received an average of twenty one hundred contacts
per day. Right prove those cuts would go into effect
in October. Your thoughts on that.
Speaker 4 (09:19):
Well, we're certainly opposed to any cuts to funding to
the nine to eight hotline, and especially for the LGBTQ
plus component of it.
Speaker 3 (09:31):
It is a simple matter.
Speaker 4 (09:32):
Research shows that members of the LGBTQ community are to
higher risk for suicide than non members of that community.
So we're simply, you know, we're simply basing things on
the research and the science and what it tells. Us
AFSP's and non partisan organization it's suicide effects Democrats, Republicans, independents,
(09:55):
and everyone else. I always joke I want them all
to participate and raise MO for us, no matter what
their political beliefs are. But what we stand by is
what the science tells us. And we know that people
are in high risk communities and we need to make
sure services are available to them, just like for veterans
and middle aged men in rural areas. As I mentioned earlier,
(10:17):
those are all high risk communities and we're opposed to
any cuts that would affect services in those areas.
Speaker 2 (10:23):
Back to the Out of the Darkness Walk. It is
June twenty first in Manhattan. A little more on the details.
It starts at the Intrepid Sea Air and Space Museum,
which is peer eighty six West forty sixth Street in Manhattan,
right there on the water. It's a sixteen mile walk.
Everybody's at their own pace. What else do we need
to know?
Speaker 4 (10:41):
So we encourage people to get there early and get
registered to beat the long lines.
Speaker 3 (10:46):
But also.
Speaker 4 (10:48):
And even if you can't participate, even if you say, well,
I can't walk sixteen miles or whatever, I encourage you
to come and attend the opening ceremonies because it's a
really powerful ceremony, and you know, we have it at
the Intrepid because obviously it's you know, we look for
places where it's it's a good place to stage the
(11:09):
event and all those kind of things, but also because
of the the symbolism and connection to the military, you know,
and part of our work is dedicated to preventing suicide
with active duty military and veterans. So it starts there,
and then you wind your way through New York City.
(11:30):
There are rest stops along the way where you can hydrate,
get snacks whatever. Around midnight, we have what's called the
Midnight Meal where you can get like a sandwich and
all that and wind your way back and people start arribving.
Some people arrive back at about one o'clock in the
morning and some straggle in about five o'clock in the morning.
(11:53):
So and that's okay. And also if you walk and
you feel like you can't finish, we have sweep vehicles
will pick.
Speaker 3 (12:01):
You up and bring you back to the finish line.
Speaker 4 (12:03):
And you know, what's important is not whether you walked
sixteen miles or not. What's important is that you're lending
your voice and your efforts to suicide prevention.
Speaker 2 (12:14):
I would also like to say, as someone who works
weird overnight hours, sometimes walking around in the city at
night is kind of fascinating but a little scary if
you're by yourself. Now you're going to be with a group,
and it's going to be, you know, kind of a
departure from what you might expect, I think as far
as participating in a fundraising.
Speaker 4 (12:32):
Right, So anyone who's concerned about that, you know, we
we work closely with the police department. We try to
map the route out so that it's we're staying in
well lit areas, that kind of thing. We if necessary,
we can we close intersections and things so that you know,
(12:52):
so it's walker safety is paramount, and we also don't
want anyone to walk by themselves, and not just for physical,
say safety reasons, but for emotional safety reasons.
Speaker 3 (13:02):
We want you to be with other people.
Speaker 4 (13:04):
And the one thing people find out we see this
all the time. People will come in Let's say they'll
come in from Omaha, Nebraska, and they don't know anybody,
and they'll just meet up up with other people and
then they become fast friends and lifelong friends. You know,
but we we don't everyone anyone walking by themselves because
we want them to feel supported both from a physical
(13:26):
safety perspective but also for emotional safety.
Speaker 2 (13:30):
It is an amazing experience. AFSP does so much valuable work.
We only have about a minute left. I want to
mention that so much of your work is made possible
through volunteering as well.
Speaker 4 (13:41):
Yes, we could not do the work we do without
our volunteers.
Speaker 3 (13:45):
It is to me.
Speaker 4 (13:46):
You know, over the years we've grown dramatically. We've been
a very successful organization. And my colleagues and other organizations
will say, what's your secret to your success? And I
always say, it's very simple. We have this incredible, passionate
group of volunteers, many who've suffered this horrific loss, and
they've chosen to channel their grief into doing something to
(14:11):
help other people.
Speaker 3 (14:12):
And it's just incredible. So we couldn't do what we do.
Speaker 4 (14:15):
So I want to give a shout out to all
of our volunteers all over the country for all the
great work they do. And if and when out there's
interested in volunteering, just go to our website, reach out
to your local chapter.
Speaker 3 (14:27):
We'd love to put you to work. Have you help
out with our efforts.
Speaker 2 (14:32):
You can find out more about volunteering and the New
York City Out of the Darkness Overnight Walk on June
twenty first at AFSP dot org. Mike lama Is with
the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Thank you for being
on Get Connected.
Speaker 3 (14:46):
My Pleasure. Thanks so much for having me.
Speaker 1 (14:49):
This has been Get Connected with Nina del Rio on
ONEHO six point seven light Fm. The views and opinions
of our guests do not necessarily reflect the views of
the station. If you missed any part of our show
or want to share it, visit our website for downloads
and podcasts at one O six seven lightfm dot com.
Thanks for listening.
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