SAF Prevention Program
Saving Lives Through Awareness, Prevention, and Hope.
Suicide is the second leading cause of death for those aged 10-24. In a generation facing rising loneliness, where a sense of belonging is one of the strongest protective factors for mental fitness, prevention matters more than ever.
K–12 schools lay the foundation for social and emotional learning and provide the structure needed to strengthen the mental fitness of our youth. If we can reach students early, we can support them through each transitional season of life. The Sam Asbury Foundation is committed to saving the lives of our most valuable resource - our youth.
The SAF prevention program strengthens resilience and fosters meaningful peer connections in school, helping young people navigate the modern world with confidence, clarity, and a true sense of belonging.
Proven, Evidence-Based Prevention that is Saving Lives
Building Strong Minds Early to Prevent Crisis Later
We are committed to making a meaningful impact on the suicide epidemic. We began our efforts focused on a decade of change. As we have strengthened our work, we’ve recognized the need to reach students earlier - equipping them with the tools they need before a crisis begins.
The SAF Prevention Program was created with this in mind. Beginning as early as age five, we partner with schools to train in mental fitness and character-building skills through social and emotional learning, laying a foundation that helps prevent youth suicide. We also introduce suicide prevention at developmentally appropriate stages of a child’s development.
How It Works
Our multi-tiered system of support is based on research that shows that belonging and peer connection are among the strongest protective factors against suicide. Our approach equips adults to intervene early and gives students tools to look out for each other and for themselves.
Together, we can move from awareness to measurable, life-saving impact.
QPR Training
Tier 1 | Universal Prevention
Tier 1 support is available to - and encouraged for - everyone in the community.
QPR training teaches people how to recognize the warning signs of suicide, respond with confidence, and connect individuals to the help they need.
The Sam Asbury Foundation has a team of certified QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) trainers who are passionate about equipping individuals with life-saving skills in schools, workplaces, and the broader community.
This is the starting point for prevention. We believe everyone should have this level of training, and our goal is to make it accessible, practical, and easy to implement.
Since its inception, QPR has been taught to millions of people worldwide, making it the most widely taught gatekeeper training program globally.
Peer-to-Peer Support Programs
Tier 2 | Targeted Prevention
Tier 2 is where we begin to see measurable, meaningful change.
This is where we partner with experts to bring evidence-based peer programming into schools - equipping students with developmentally appropriate skills to recognize distress, support their peers, and connect them to trusted adults.
The Sam Asbury Foundation works with both Peer Helpers Plus and Hope Squad to bring proven prevention efforts into schools in Atlanta.
This work is essential because research shows that 7 out of 10 young people will confide in a peer before a parent or adult, often sharing early warning signs of distress.
When students are equipped to respond in these moments by alerting a safe, trusted, and trained adult, they become a powerful front line of support.
Equipping peers to recognize and respond to distress is not only impactful - it is proven to save lives. This program has been shown to reduce youth suicide by up to 80% when implemented in schools. (Statistic from The Jordan Elizabeth Harris Foundation, 2026)
Meet Our Trainers
Stephanie is a certified QPR Gatekeeper Trainer and the Executive Director of The Sam Asbury Foundation.
Stephanie Johnston
Heather is a certified QPR suicide prevention trainer with over 15 years of experience in the corporate healthcare industry, specializing in account management and member engagement.
Heather Rabinowitz
Sarah is an LCSW, APHSW-C, and an end-of-life and grief specialist with nearly 18 years of experience supporting patients and families through serious illness, grief, loss, and end-of-life care.
Sarah Collett
Kelly is a Certified QPR Trainer dedicated to equipping individuals, organizations, and communities with the knowledge and confidence to recognize the warning signs of suicide and respond with compassion and hope.
Kelly McSwain
Our Partners in this Work
Be the Support They Need.
From school-wide prevention to one-on-one peer support, find out how you can help us bring these life-saving tools to more students.
