The Support after Suicide Partnership (SASP) is committed to supporting diversity and inclusivity in everything we do. They aren’t just words to us, they are a commitment to achieving the vision that “Everyone bereaved or affected by suicide is offered timely and appropriate support.”

The following statement outlines the SASP’s commitment to diversity and inclusivity, and our principles.

Statement of Principles

The SASP is committed to the fundamental principles of freedom, equality of opportunity, and human dignity. We do not engage in exclusion or harassment of anyone because of their race, age, culture, ability, ethnicity or nationality, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, marital status, religious affiliation, or socioeconomic status. We believe everyone has the right to postvention support, and work hard to make this a reality.

We are committed to the inclusion and recognition of all, regardless of race, age, culture, ability, ethnicity or nationality, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, marital status, religious affiliation, socioeconomic status, or any other part of an individual’s identity.

We respect that our membership, supporters, and those we come into contact with reflect a variety of perspectives and a wide range of lived experiences. We believe that the affirmation of this diversity is of both intrinsic and instrumental value to our work, and to representing those who may have been impacted by suicide. We believe that making the diversity of individuals visible leads to better support, and is the key to inclusive change.

Our principles apply to the treatment of people we work with, who support us, who come into contact with the SASP online and in person, and through any other of our activities.

To this end, we seek to foster inclusivity and diversity within our membership and throughout SASP activities. We are committed to supporting a wide range of identities and social, cultural, and political needs in the development and planning of the SASP, the Central Hub, and our associated activities. This support includes (but is not limited to):

• Practicing non-discrimination and inclusivity in the SASP’s online activities, and in all of our off-line activities.
• Increasing access to and the capacity of support for all people impacted by suicide
• Working to reduce physical, social, and economic barriers to support
• Cultivating an awareness of the ways in which various social, cultural, political, or economic privileges are, at any given time, accessible to some people and not others – both within our staff, our membership and the public.
• Developing a civil and collegial environment rooted in a belief of equal respect for all persons. Such an environment, among other things, should encourage active listening, openness without judgement, awareness of appropriate language, and an intrinsic empathy in all of our work.