End the silence of suicide. Listen today as we engage in Real Raw Talk about suicide with Missy Stolfi, Area Director for the Western and Central New York Chapters of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. You too can join with us as we become a voice to fight suicide. November 21, 2020 is International Survivors of Suicide Day -- a day when people who've lost a loved one to suicide come together at over 360 gatherings around the world. 

Missy says, "One thing I’m always amazed at is that by being out there about my involvement with AFSP, how many people have opened up to me, both friends and strangers. Since I joined this organization, I have had friends I’ve known for years write me literal letters sharing their personal struggles. I have strangers notice my AFSP shirt or bumper sticker and strike up a conversation with me. By being more open about mental health and not avoiding using the word ‘suicide’, it gives people permission to open up themselves, to know you are someone who will not judge them."

Whether you have struggle with suicide yourself or have lost a loved one, know you are not alone. At the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention website you will hear personal experiences from people in your local community whose lives have been impacted by suicide as AFSP is available to anyone, anywhere. To connect with AFSP click here.  If you are in a crisis call 1-800-273-8255 or text TALK to 741741

Missy Stolfi is the Area Director for the Western and Central New York Chapters of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. She joined the Foundation from the American Cancer Society, and prior to that served in the field of college student affairs in the Philadelphia area. Missy holds a B.S. in History from SUNY College at Oneonta, and a M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration – Student Affairs from the University at Buffalo. She resides in Amherst, volunteers for a number of local organizations, roots for the Yankees and Bills and enjoys spending time with her niece and nephew.