December 18, 2020 The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) reports that suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the U.S., with an average of 132 deaths by suicides each day. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it is especially important to be aware of ways to safeguard mental health. The Suicide Prevention Alliance of Northern Virginia (SPAN) encourages residents to educate themselves and others on ways to prevent suicide and strengthen mental health. SPAN’s newly redesigned, mobile-friendly website (suicidepreventionnva.org) has information and resources like: A free self-screening tool – Check-Up from the Neck-Up. Easy to scan lists of risk factors and warning signs – How You Can Help: Five Steps.