Suicide prevention awareness is a top priority for one CAMCO employee

September 28th

LAS VEGAS, NV (September, 2023)– CAMCO Overcoming mental health stigma is a hot topic today, and particularly relevant this time of year, as September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Suicide prevention is a subject that hits close to home for CAMCO Community Association Manager, Autumn Pacheco, who has lost family members and friends to suicide. That’s why Pacheco works tirelessly to get the message out about suicide prevention awareness.

She serves on the Nevada chapter board of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). In her role, she helps with fundraising and coordinating suicide prevention awareness events. On Aug. 31, she worked with the Southern Nevada Harm Reduction Alliance to provide information to attendees at its National Overdose Awareness Day event at Chuck Minker Sports Complex in Las Vegas. She is currently helping to organize the 8th annual AFSPinot fundraising event for AFSP on Sept. 30 at the Beverly Theatre in Las Vegas.

She also helps coordinate free 1-hour AFSP workshops for businesses, nonprofits, government entities, and other groups titled “Talk Saves Lives.” The workshops go over suicide warning signs and offer tips for talking to people who might be struggling.

“I do think a lot of times there’s such stigma attached to mental health, especially when it comes to men and people of color,” she said. “So often we don’t talk about things until it’s too late. And for those who do want help, sometimes they can’t afford it. We’re really trying to break down these barriers.”

In the future, Pacheco hopes to become a “Talk Saves Lives” presenter herself, and she also wants to get involved with policy changes that can help diverse populations overcome mental health stigma and barriers to care. She also wants those who are struggling with mental health concerns to be aware of the suicide crisis line, which can be reached by dialing 988 or texting “TALK” to 741741.