Meet a Member: American Association of Suicidology

Tucked quietly in the back of an office building on Wisconsin Avenue, the American Association of Suicidology (AAS) appears modest and humble. With five full-time staff members, it is impressive that they are able to accomplish so much in any given calendar year. Not surprising, though, as they have had forty-three years to improve upon their best practices and gain the support of members, volunteers, interns, contractors and collaborators.

The goal of the American Association of Suicidology is to understand and prevent suicide. Where many suicide prevention programs work directly with those affected by suicide such as survivors and people in crisis, AAS is doing research to learn more about it. They strive to achieve this mission every day by directing efforts to advance Suicidology as a science; encouraging, developing and disseminating scholarly work in Suicidology; encouraging the development and application of strategies that reduce the incidence and prevalence of suicidal behaviors; compiling, developing, evaluating and disseminating accurate information about suicidal behaviors to the public; fostering the highest possible quality of suicide prevention, intervention and postvention to the public; publicizing official AAS positions on issues of public policy relating to suicide, and promoting research and training in Suicidology.

The American Association of Suicidology hosts an Annual Conference with more than 800 attendees including researchers, clinicians, survivors, school personnel, volunteers and other mental health professionals. Furthermore, it hosts a conference specifically for those who have lost someone to suicide and another for crisis center staff and volunteers.

AAS publishes a bi-monthly peer-reviewed journal, the only of its kind, titled Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior. Also published are newsletters for survivors, newsletters for members and a follow-up after each Annual Conference.

In addition to research, conference hosting and publishing, AAS provides suicide survivor services, training and four accreditation programs: organizational accreditation for crisis centers, individual accreditation for crisis center professionals, individual accreditation for school suicide prevention specialists and certification in forensic suicidology to certify individuals who provide testimony in legal cases involving suicide.. The organization recently hired a Training and Accreditation Director.

Recently, the American Association of Suicidology launched a nationwide fundraising campaign called "A Million Voices" to benefit survivor services. The campaign aims to raise one million dollars, one at a time, from one million people.

A Center member since 1996, AAS utilizes a number of Center benefits including access to group buying programs.

Click here to learn more about the American Association of Suicidology.

[Thank you to Center intern Lindsay Smith for contributing this post.]

Center members, would you like to be featured in an upcoming Member Spotlight? Contact Beth Hess to learn more.