5 Compassionate Organizations Working To Prevent Suicide

Mental health disorders come in many forms, including severe depression, which can lead to suicidal thoughts or even an attempt to take one's own life. Many organizations exist to raise awareness about wellness, compassion, and prevention, and provide services to those who feel like all hope is lost. This list, presented in no particular order, highlights some nonprofits doing everything they can to prevent suicide.

The #1 entry is Lines for Life, a nonprofit dedicated to preventing substance abuse and suicide. It aims to address a spectrum of needs that include intervention, prevention, and advocacy. The group maintains 24-hour crisis lines to offer help and hope to people needing confidential assistance with drug addiction, alcohol abuse, thoughts of suicide, and other mental health issues.

The organization strives to educate the general public and advocate for legislation that would prevent the worst effects of substance abuse, mental illness, and thoughts of suicide and to avert social crises around these issues. One proposal aims to reduce prescription drug misuse, abuse, and overdose through expanded drug disposal programs.

Next up, at #2, we have the Jordan Porco Foundation, located in Hartford, Connecticut. This nonprofit, committed to preventing suicide in the high school and university student populations, was founded in 2011 by Ernie and Marisa Porco after they lost their son, Jordan, to suicide when he was a freshman in college.

Through awareness, education, and special programming, JPF aims to challenge stigma around mental health and help-seeking, create open conversations about the prevalence of suicide and mental health issues among young adults, and ultimately, save lives.

For #3, we present Forefront, a social impact center at the University of Washington School of Social Work focused on ending suicide by championing prevention, systemic change, and advocacy for those affected. Forefront was established in 2013 by Jennifer Stuber and Sue Eastgard, a suicide prevention advocate and trainer.

Forefront trains health and school professionals as well as community members throughout the state of Washington in suicide awareness, intervention, and response skills. Its Safer Homes, Suicide Aware campaign focuses on the safe storage of medications and firearms.

Taking the #4 spot is Not One More Vet. This organization strives to transform mental wellness in the veterinary field so that professionals can thrive through education, resources, and support. The group offers lectures and workshops on veterinary wellness and well-being on crisis intervention, emotional intelligence, and more.

The group believes that understanding the underlying issues surrounding mental health and suicide is of utmost importance. Therefore, it conducts its own research projects with various institutions, including the University of Tennessee, Johns Hopkins University, and others.

Finally, at #5, we present The Kim Foundation. Based in Omaha, Nebraska, this organization's mission is to serve as a supportive resource and compassionate voice for lives touched by mental illness and suicide. Larry Courtnage created the foundation in memory of his daughter, Kim, who lived with mental illness and ultimately took her own life.

The nonprofit aims to serve as a communication and connection link between individuals, families, and organizations throughout Nebraska. It works to ensure that no one who is in need of services is denied them. The Kim Foundation works toward this goal by providing funding for services to organizations, building awareness and acceptance of the issues at hand, and advocating for a comprehensive, accessible behavioral health system.