AFSP Launches Spanish Website to Deepen Understanding, Resources, and Support to Spanish-Speaking Populations

July 1, 2025 (New York, NY) — The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) has launched a new Spanish-language website at es.afsp.org in anticipation of National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month celebrated in July. This is a milestone moment to help raise awareness among Spanish-speaking communities in the United States about mental health and suicide prevention, and to help them find the resources and support needed to thrive in the face of mental health conditions and suicide.  

“AFSP is dedicated to helping all communities impacted by suicide, and now we are proud to say we have an incredible resource, in Spanish, that can save lives,” said AFSP CEO Bob Gebbia. “So often we hear from people that just finding our website and the information and resources that it provides was a lifeline, and now we can reach so many more people in our country who may be vulnerable to suicide.”

The new website provides educational information on mental health conditions, as well as the risk factors and warning signs for suicide. Whether you are directly or indirectly affected by suicide, there is ample guidance on how to support yourself or someone you know who is struggling with their mental health. The website includes information on help resources for Hispanic communities, including the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, and connection to a trained AFSP volunteer through our Healing Conversations program for loss survivors. Website visitors can also learn how to join an AFSP Out of the Darkness Walk, get involved with their local chapter, and sign up to become a Volunteer Advocate for lifesaving policies and legislation at all levels of government.

We know from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services data that Hispanic and Latine communities have seen incremental increases in suicide rates.  

• Between 2018 and 2023, the age-adjusted suicide rate among Hispanic individuals in the U.S. increased by 9.5% (from 7.45 to 8.16 per 100,000).
• In 2023, nearly 14% of Hispanic adults in the U.S. reported experiencing serious psychological distress in the past year.
• In 2023, 21% of Hispanic adults in the U.S. reported experiencing any mental illness in the previous year, and 8% reported experiencing a major depressive episode.
• In 2023, only 17% of Hispanic adults in the U.S. reported receiving mental health treatment in the past year. 

“There is really a dearth of educational and science-backed mental health and suicide prevention information and resources in Spanish,” said Denisse Centeno Lamas, LCSW, who served on the committee informing the launch of this website. “This new website helps us build our understanding which is necessary in our community to dispel myths, reduce stigma, and help minimize the isolation of those who are struggling and connect them to resources that can save lives,” Denise is a volunteer with AFSP Central Florida Chapter, chair of the AFSP Puerto Rico Chapter, and on AFSP’s National Leadership Council.

Hispanic communities face unique challenges due to social factors that can affect mental health. Limited knowledge of mental health conditions fueled by cultural views that can reinforce shame and stigma when experiencing and disclosing struggles prevent many from seeking support and connection. The isolation and disconnection from familial supports can be especially prevalent amongst immigrants. Religious views can prevent people from reaching out for help, which is exacerbated by the fact that access to mental health services is challenging due to cost, language, geography, and more. For immigrants, access to health and other services is becoming even less accessible in today’s political climate. Across our country, Hispanic people’s health, and that of many other underrepresented communities, are being affected by economic, political, and social instability.

“We are living in extraordinary times that demand that we lean in more to support our Hispanic and other communities facing so much hardship,” said Vanessa Ayala Medine “As the Legislative Chair volunteer for our Southeast Texas Chapter, I work on advocacy that will advance suicide prevention policies in our state. My family has personally been impacted by suicide which is why I have dedicated my life to prevent the needless death of people.” 

A Harris Poll conducted by AFSP and other organizations revealed that a top barrier to seeking out crisis services is fear of what family, friends, and others would think, with 39% of Hispanic people expressing this view. And while a majority of Hispanics would reach out to crisis services (77%), their awareness of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is still low at 35% amongst those polled.

“I volunteer for the AFSP Chapter in Central Florida and have participated in the virtual Day of Hope (Día de Esperanza) to help loss survivors and allies,” said Rafis Nin, LSW, who also contributed his expertise to the launch of this site. “We need to normalize talking about this if we are going to save lives in our community. Just being able to tell people at a funeral that a loved one died of suicide can make such a difference.”

Learn more at es.afsp.org and share with others to ensure this invaluable resource for Spanish-speaking communities is accessible far and wide.

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The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is dedicated to saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide, including those who have experienced a loss. AFSP creates a culture that’s smart about mental health through public education and community programs, develops suicide prevention through research and advocacy, and provides support for those affected by suicide. Led by CEO Robert Gebbia and headquartered in New York, with its Policy and Advocacy Office in Washington, D.C., AFSP has local chapters in all 50 states, D.C., and Puerto Rico, with programs and events nationwide. Learn more about AFSP in its latest Annual Report and join the conversation on suicide prevention by following AFSP on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and TikTok.

Media interested in speaking with AFSP on this news are encouraged to fill out this press request form and review AFSP’s Ethical Reporting Guidelines.