Breaking the Silence: Suicide Prevention & Mental Health in the Workplace

Mental Health Awareness: Talk Saves Lives with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and we are pleased to welcome Jessica Toy from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) to present Talk Saves Lives. Established in 1987, AFSP is a leading voluntary health organization dedicated to suicide prevention through research, education, advocacy, and support for those impacted by suicide.

Talk Saves Lives: An Introduction to Suicide Prevention is AFSP’s flagship education program, covering the scope of suicide as a leading cause of death, the latest research on warning signs and risk factors, and practical strategies for prevention.

Rachel will also share insights on addressing mental health in the construction industry through AFSP’s Hard Hat Courage program—an initiative focused on making it safe to talk about mental health every day, on every jobsite.

Rachel Stopford spent 14 years as an accountant in the construction industry and is now a Florida-based advocate for mental health awareness and suicide prevention, driven by deeply personal experiences with loss and grief. Her journey through tragedy has shaped her mission to create spaces where people feel seen, understood, and not alone in their darkest moments. Through her voice, writing, and outreach, she wants to encourage others to hold on, talk openly, and #stayanotherday. Rachel founded My Brothers’ Keeper Collective in memory of her two brothers who died by suicide and she is passionate about turning pain into purpose and being a light for those who feel consumed by darkness.