February 18, 2005

Dwight L. Evans, MD, Elected President of
the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

(Philadelphia, PA) – Dwight L. Evans, M.D., the Ruth Meltzer Professor and Chair of the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, has been elected President of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). Dr. Evans has received numerous awards for his work, including the AFSP Beck Award for Excellence in Suicidology – the study of suicide, suicidal behavior, and suicide prevention – for his extensive contributions to expanding the scientific knowledge in the field of depression.

Suicide is a major national health problem that takes an enormous toll on family, friends, co-workers, and the entire community. In this country, a person dies from suicide every 18 minutes; it is estimated that an attempt is made about every 45 seconds. Suicide is the third leading cause of death among 15- to 24-year-olds and the second major cause of death among college students.

“I look forward to working with the concerned scientists, business and community leaders, and survivors of suicide that make up AFSP to help further the Foundation’s cause,” said Dr. Evans. “The Foundation is uniquely positioned to help marshal the national forces necessary to address death from suicide as a major public health problem.”

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is the only national not-for-profit organization exclusively dedicated to funding research, developing prevention initiatives, and offering educational programs and conferences for survivors, mental health professionals, physicians, and the public.

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