Skip to content

Are you in a crisis? Call or text 988 or text TALK to 741741

¿Estás en una crisis? Llama o envía un mensaje de texto al 988 o envía un mensaje de texto con AYUDA al 741741

This Roctober, Learn More About AFSP-Funded Research

October 2, 2024 – 1 min read

By AFSP

Dark red background with pale red lifesaver symbols.

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.

  • 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.