The American Foundation of Suicide Prevention (AFSP) is a nonprofit organization that recognizes suicide and mental health issues as a part of our society. By understanding, this support can go to those who need education and those who are at risk. Suicide affects a considerable number of people, those suffering from depression and their loved ones, but with proper education and treatment it can prevent many from taking their own lives. In fact, according to Mental Health Business Week, “Each year in the United States, suicide claims more than 40,000 lives – more than war, murder and natural disasters combined…Suicide is not just a health problem faceless to our society: it affects real people. » (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention 60). That's why organizations like the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention were created to help. AFSP was founded in 1987 and is a leader in the fight against suicide by providing research, education and support to individuals and their families affected by suicide. AFSP has funded research to better understand suicide risk, such as work by Yair Ben-Efaim Ph.D. focusing on psychiatry, genetic epidemiology and biostatics at the Weizmann Institute of Science, found: “The cortisol response to psychosocial stress may be dysregulated in stress-related disorders. It is potentiated by pituitary secretion of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), which is, in part, regulated by the arginine vasopressin-1B receptor (AVPR1B). anxiety disorders present a higher risk of suicide (Efraim et al.). AFSP has also done a lot... middle of paper ... taking action to help others,” Nock focuses on deconstructing suicide and helping AFSP (AFSP Annual Report 2014). Just for a minute, think about a family member or friend who has been depressed. Now imagine if they are not able to control their emotions and find themselves in a situation that many call a “dark place” in their subconscious. This family member or friend might begin to feel desperate, unbearable pain, withdraw from social gatherings, and say things like, "I have no reason to live anymore," or they might ask, "Do you Have you ever thought about what death could be like? » These are all warning signs that something is wrong, and for people who can't trust these signs, can AFSP offer information about the warning sign and how to talk about it . By simply understanding the warning signs, everyone can help save someone's life..