Much of what we know today about suicide has been uncovered by AFSP-funded studies. So, each year, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention dedicates the month of October — or as we call it, Roctober — to highlighting the innovative scientific research that guides all areas of our mission.
At AFSP, research informs everything we do, including our education programs, advocacy for life-saving public policies, and support for those who have lost loved ones to suicide. Research is the light that leads us through the dark, and toward hope.
This Roctober (short for "Research" plus "October"), we encourage you to learn more about AFSP-funded research through the following resources:
- Learn more about suicide and how to help prevent it by reading our top-ten list of things we've learned from research.
- Watch the video "Lessons from Suicide Research: One Man's Road to Recovery," which highlights important findings through the lens of an attempt survivor.
- In our monthly Research Connection Roundup, we highlight four leading researchers who recently published in academic journals and share a few key findings from their studies.
- Watch our library of short, informative Research Videos, featuring many of the world's top suicide prevention researchers. The videos are browsable by topic, including addiction, children and adolescents, biological factors, coping strategies, genetics, grief and more.
- Read our quarterly Research Connection Newsletter, with each edition taking a close look at how a single AFSP-funded research study was conducted, what questions we sought answers to, and what was discovered.
- Watch past episodes of our virtual series "Ask Dr. Jill," in which AFSP Senior Vice President of Research Dr. Jill Harkavy-Friedman answers audience questions on topics related to suicide and mental health.
To see more special content throughout the month of Roctober — and to receive the latest news, research, and updates from AFSP — subscribe to our national email list and follow us on our social media channels @AFSPNational.