Didi Hirsch Hosts Alive Together: Uniting to Prevent Suicide on a Global Scale November 14
November 2, 2021
The Nation’s Leading Suicide Prevention Center Asks Supporters Worldwide to Walk 2,160 Steps in Remembrance of the 2,160 People Lost Globally to Suicide Each Day
Los Angeles, CA – November 2, 2021 – Didi Hirsch, a leading provider of whole-person mental health and suicide- specialized care, today announces Alive Together: Uniting to Prevent Suicide, a global initiative to support survivors of suicide attempts and loss. With increasing focus on rebuilding stronger, more equitable, more connected communities, the event on Sunday, November 14 at 8 AM PDT encourages supporters to walk 2,160 steps (about 1 mile) at Exposition Park in Los Angeles or virtually around the world – mirroring the number of lives lost each day to suicide worldwide.
Alive Together is a reimagining of Didi Hirsch’s 23rd annual 5K, designed to bring vital awareness and action to prevent suicide on a global scale. Funds raised help the US’ premiere Suicide Prevention Center offer comprehensive, compassionate crisis care keeping kids, adults and families safe. The Center counsels over 350 callers, chatters and texters every day, and is leading California’s thirteen 988 Crisis Centers to scale on behalf of the State – pivotal work with 44,000 Americans dying by suicide last year, 1.4 million adults attempting suicide each year, and experts recently declaring alarming increases in youth attempts a national emergency.
“With suicide attempts and losses tragically compounding Covid-19 deaths and inequities worldwide, especially in our children and BIPOC communities, Alive Together aims to prevent these tragedies by reconnecting humanity,” said Didi Hirsch’s CEO Jonathan Goldfinger, MD, MPH, FAAP. “Over the last 15 years Didi Hirsch has helped over 1 million individuals in crisis and led research and innovation in this field, saving countless lives. This year we’re using our global reach and expertise to bring healing to survivors everywhere.”
The event includes inspirational guest speakers and celebrities sharing personal stories, community-building activities, food trucks and memorial quilts and memory trees that honor loved ones lost. A fitness warm up activity led by Eric Bigger of The Bachelor and a world wide livestream hosted by actress and mental health advocate Sarah Gilman will engage people worldwide to come together to prevent suicide.
In addition to the event, Didi Hirsch is executing a new viral campaign across social media asking for everyone to post a photo holding a sign that reads “2,160 Each Day #WalkWithMe #AliveTogether @didi_hirsch” leading up to the event. Celebrities, influencers and activists including Selena Gomez, Paris Jackson, Jameela Jamil, Amanda Seales and more will be encouraging their communities to engage with this message to support suicide prevention.
Register free today at didihirsch.org/alivetogether to help prevent suicide in families and communities around the world. Friends and loved ones are encouraged to donate and participate, whether directly impacted by suicide or not. Together, we can save so many lives!
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About Didi Hirsch:
Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services has been a national leader in whole-person mental health care and suicide prevention services for 80 years. Its first-in-the-nation Suicide Prevention Center operates multiple English/Spanish hotlines 24/7, including the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline becoming 988 in July 2022 for anyone in crisis, the national Disaster Distress Helpline for those suffering emotionally from natural or manmade disasters, a new line diverting 911 calls from the LAPD, as well as Teen Line and LAUSD line. Didi Hirsch’s highly specialized experts also provide comprehensive crisis counseling and support groups for people with suicidal thoughts, attempts, or loss, as well as suicide prevention training for students, teachers, clergy, police and first responders. We serve nearly 160,000 children, adults and families each year through 10 facilities and over 75 schools across Los Angeles and Orange Counties. Learn more today at www.didihirsch.org
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