Talk Saves Lives: How Talking About Suicide Can Save Lives

Talk Saves Lives: How Talking About Suicide Can Save Lives
Mar 01, 2023 6:30 PM
Christina Cappello
Talk Saves Lives: How Talking About Suicide Can Save Lives

On Wednesday, March 1, 2023, Christina Cappello (she/her), Area Director, Greater San Francisco Bay Area, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP).  will provide a brief overview of AFSP and their local Chapter’s work, including the annual South Bay Out of the Darkness Community Walk. In addition, she’ll provide a shortened version of this talk: Talk Saves Lives for the LGBTQ+ Community program, focusing on the key elements of the program:

  • Suicide risk and its unique considerations in LGBTQ communities
  • Recognizing suicide risk factors and warning signs for LGBTQ people
  • Protective factors that can help lower the suicide rate
  • The latest research related to LGBTQ suicide prevention
  • How to seek and offer support for yourself or others
  • Crisis resources and services for the LGBTQ community

About the speaker

Christina Cappello (she/her) is the Area Director for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) Greater San Francisco Bay Area Chapter, overseeing programs and volunteers in 16 counties in Northern California. AFSP is dedicated to saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide, including those who have experienced a loss and those that struggle with lived experience. AFSP creates a culture that is smart about mental health by engaging in the following core strategies: funding scientific research, educating the public about mental health and suicide prevention, advocating for public policies in mental health and suicide prevention, and supporting survivors of suicide loss and those affected by suicide.

Christina has been involved with AFSP since 2007, serving as the Nevada Chapter Board Chair and as a member of the National Leadership Council before joining the AFSP Staff in January 2022. Christina comes to AFSP with a decade of experience as a recreational therapist for the state of Massachusetts and many years in the nonprofit sector through her roles at the American Cancer Society and Encircle LGBTQ+ Family and Resource Centers. She is passionate about creating safe spaces to talk about mental health in our community.

How to Join this Event

Our meetings are open to everyone, and are hybrid events – you can join in person or virtually.

You can join us in person at the Billy DeFrank LGBTQ+ Community Center (938 The Alameda, San Jose, CA). We meet upstairs in one of the conference rooms – come up the stairs to the front door, ring the bell, and you’ll be let in. You will need to show proof of vaccination to enter the center. If you’re unable to use the stairs, please let us know and we can plan to meet you at another entrance where you’ll have access to an elevator.

To join us virtually, 

Zoom meeting link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88583931138?pwd=TE4rVlNpdnViMktNS0E3eklhOEhTdz09