Paddle To Prevent Suicide

My name is Ashley, and in 2012 my world forever changed; I became a suicide loss survivor when my dad died by suicide. Since then, I have been an Impact Entrepreneur for suicide prevention efforts raising awareness and leading research and development for well-being programs throughout the US. My goal; suicide stops here. 

In 2020 suicide was the 12th leading cause of death in the US. Nearly 130 people die by suicide daily, and 1.2 million attempt suicide each year. Efforts for prevention have improved; however, there is still a need for improved prevention measures. Suicide is preventable, and you can be part of the team that wins the fight!

In 2017 I began speaking nationally about suicide prevention and awareness. In 2021 I partnered with United Survivors to develop suicide prevention, mental health promotion, and well-being programs for the dental industry. A nationwide study was published in 2021 on the dental industry and closed in 2022. Two hundred eighty-three dental professionals took the study.

My company hosts paddleboarding and kayaking events to raise awareness for suicide prevention and create community support systems. I hosted my first event last year with 100 participants and two spin-off events! 

I speak nationally and internationally at conferences and other community events regarding wellbeing efforts for prevention. 

Our efforts would go even further with your support; together, we can stop suicide. I would be honored to have the opportunity to meet with you to share my initiative further and see if there may be an opportunity for support. 

I want to stop suicide. I want to make conversations about suicide, mental health, and wellbeing normal and comfortable. I want to CRUSH the stigma around suicide. I can't change my story, but my story will, and has, saved the lives of others. 

Due to limited funding, I cannot focus the time desperately needed to increase awareness and make my dream of full-time suicide prevention and awareness my career. 

My goal for 2023 is to make my passion my purpose full-time by raising awareness and implementing prevention tools and resources. I want to host five paddleboarding and kayaking events in 2023, speak at multiple conferences, create community initiatives, create a platform and app for support, and raise awareness daily. Funds from events, speaking, SWAG, and other donations go towards continued research and development of tools and resources.