Local Chapter Kicks Off Suicide Prevention Week By Spreading Awareness
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- National Suicide Prevention Week kicks off on Monday and the Philadelphia chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is raising awareness.
"I felt blindsided, suicide wasn't even a thought in my mind," said Dr. Terri Erbacher, a school psychologist and co-author of 'Suicide in Schools.'
She's also a survivor.
"I lost my dad to suicide in 2001."
She said she went through a range of emotions, from wondering why, to anger, to grief and sadness.
"Sad that he felt so bad."
Erbacher at the American Foundation for suicide prevention is raising awareness by talking about suicide and eliminating the taboo.
"This is real life- let's talk about it, let's eliminate that stigma."
The Philadelphia Chapter of AFSP is holding a survivor's barbecue next weekend. They're also using hastag #STOPSuicide and #ItsOkToTalk on social media to get men, who are 3.5 times more like to commit suicide, to open up.