Red Hat selects the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention for 2019 U.S. corporate holiday donation

For the twelfth year in a row, Red Hatters took an active role in selecting a charitable organization to be the beneficiary of our holiday U.S. corporate donation. During the process, they nominated more than 140 charities and more than 1,250 associates participated in the final vote. For our 2019 corporate holiday donation, Red Hatters have chosen to support the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) with a $75,000 donation that will contribute to the organization's efforts to save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide. 

AFSP is a voluntary health organization that gives those affected by suicide a nationwide community empowered by research, education and advocacy to take action against a leading cause of death. AFSP creates a culture that’s smart about mental health by funding scientific research, educating the public about mental health and suicide prevention and advocating for public policies in mental health and suicide prevention.

Founded in 1987, AFSP was started when a small group of caring individuals—each of whom had lost someone to suicide—joined with scientists to establish a private source of support for suicide research and education. Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the U.S.and is currently the third leading cause of death among young people age 15 to 24. The highest overall rates of suicide are for adults age 40 to 59.

Since its founding, AFSP has:

• Mobilized and connected people who have lost a family member, loved one or friend to suicide

• Reached individuals who are at risk for suicide, as well as those who love and care for them

• Attracted the participation of members of the scientific and clinical communities, who conduct research on suicide and its prevention with support from AFSP

• Established local chapters in all 50 states

• Educated local communities about suicide and how to prevent it

• Created a public policy arm enabling AFSP to press for legislation and policies at the federal, state and local levels that advance the goal of preventing suicide

• Educated reporters and the media about how to most safely cover suicide

Red Hat and our associates proudly support impactful causes and participate in charitable work throughout the year; our corporate donation to AFSP is just one example of our efforts. To extend our associates' reach and encourage their passions, Red Hat matches the qualifying contributions our U.S. associates make to eligible charities through our ongoing matching gifts program.

We believe in AFSP’s mission and thank the organization for its inspiring efforts to understand and prevent suicide through research, education and advocacy, and to provide support to those impacted by this leading cause of death.

To learn more about the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, visit afsp.org.