LivingWorks is thrilled The American Association of Suicidology (AAS), the world’s largest membership-based suicide prevention organization, announced that LivingWorks co-founder, Richard Ramsay, MSW, is the recipient of the 2023 Chair’s Award. The award was presented at the 56th Annual AAS Conference in Portland, Oregon.
“I am happy to present this distinguished award to Richard Ramsay for all he has done to support the suicidology community through his leadership and service,” said AAS President & CEO Leeann Sherman, MPS, CAE. “His work has spanned four decades and has built a suicide intervention movement that has saved countless lives.”
Richard Ramsay is a social worker, and co-founder and President Emeritus of LivingWorks Education. Richard and his fellow LivingWorks co-founders pioneered the concept that suicide prevention is everyone’s business, and anyone can learn the skills to help save a life from suicide. The Chair’s Award, which is the Association’s highest honor, recognizes an absolutely remarkable leadership and enduring commitment to the field of suicidology.
Shayne Connell, LivingWorks Executive Vice President Development, said: “On behalf of LivingWorks’ staff, trainers and those who have trained in our programs across the globe, congratulations, Richard.” Connell added, “The impact of four decades of Richard’s work, along with the co-founders of LivingWorks ASIST, has been transformative to those with thoughts of suicide and those that support them in their recovery and growth to hope and safety.”
This year, LivingWorks celebrates 40 years of gold-standard suicide intervention skills training. Since 1983, Richard’s work in the development of the Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training program, LivingWorks ASIST, has impacted the field of suicidology and has literally reached every corner of the world, with more than 2 million people trained across more than 40 countries. There are now 8,000 Registered LivingWorks ASIST and LivingWorks safeTALK trainers globally.
The American Association of Suicidology
The American Association of Suicidology is the world’s largest membership-based suicide prevention organization. Founded in 1968 by Edwin S. Shneidman, PhD, AAS promotes the research of suicide and its prevention, public awareness programs, public education and training for professionals and volunteers. The membership of AAS includes mental health and public health professionals, researchers, suicide prevention and crisis intervention centers, school districts, crisis center professionals, survivors of suicide loss, attempt survivors, and a variety of laypersons who have an interest in suicide prevention. Responsible reporting on suicide, including stories of hope and resilience, can prevent more suicides and open the door for help for those in need. Visit the Media as Partners in Suicide Prevention: Suicide Reporting Recommendations for more details. For additional information, visit SuicideReportingToolkit.com and Stanford University’s Media and Mental Health Initiative. For crisis services anywhere in the world, visit FindAHelpline.org and in the continental United States chat, text or call 988. Learn more about AAS at www.suicidology.org. For further information on AAS, contact Chris Cosentino, ccosentino@suicidology.org
