Mission Save a Life
Leveraging professional skills for a personal mission: To save lives
A techie with a heart for potential
Jennifer Weis is a mother of two working as Director of Partner Development within Microsoft’s Global Partner organization. Early access to tech gadgets at home fostered an interest and familiarity with technology. Jennifer pursued a double major in mathematics and computer science with a minor in graphic design, an attempt to formalize a unique way of looking at the world that she would later define as creative logic.
Jennifer says she never had a defined career path. Instead, she built her personal and professional life around four key values: the opportunity to coach and mentor others, the ability to drive measurable results, the allure of ambiguity and challenge, and the potential for learning and growth.
Strengthened through years of coaching athletics and managing large teams, Jennifer was ready to apply her skillsets to a new problem: suicide awareness and prevention.
Mission Save a Life: an innovative initiative to prevent suicide
As Jennifer, her family, and her community reeled with the loss of six young men within just weeks of each other, she noticed several themes. First, friends and family were taken off guard – many knew the young men were struggling but nobody suspected it was "that bad." Second, few were aware that the rates of suicide had increased 36% in the past decade. And third, people didn’t know how to talk to those they knew to be struggling.
Together with engaged community members including educators, community leaders, and those who had experienced loss through suicide, Mission Save a Life was born in an effort to address these gaps through three main objectives: awareness, education, and action.
1. Awareness: Know the risks
Suicide remains a significant public health issue in the United States. Alarming trends paint a sobering picture everyone should be aware of:
- High incidence: In 2022, nearly 49,000 people died by suicide – this translates to about one death every 11 minutes (CDC, 07-18-2024). Over 1.6 million attempted suicide the same year (AFSP, 2023).
- Men at greatest risk: Men are nearly four time more likely to die by suicide than women. Suicide is the second leading cause of death in young men ages 15-24 (UCLA Health, 02-23-2023).
- Pain beneath the surface: In 2022, about 13.2 million U.S. adults seriously considered suicide; in the same year, 3.5 million made a specific plan to die by suicide (CDC, 07-18-2024).
Raising awareness in the workplace
To promote awareness of suicide risk, Mission Save a Life undertakes several activities: social media campaigns, podcasts, and community engagement.
One of the most transformational platforms for raising awareness is discussions within businesses and communities. For example, throughout the month of May, Jennifer organized calls with different Microsoft organizations to discuss suicide awareness and prevention, aiming to educate and open dialogues about mental health.
These calls had a noticeable impact. "Several senior leaders were in tears recounting the things they’ve been through and how they face stress," recalled Jennifer. "Everybody said thank you for opening up the dialogue because nobody talks about it."
2. Education: How to look, connect, and direct
Mission Save a Life also educates people about the key aspects of suicide prevention including how to recognize the signs of suicide risk, how to have conversations with those at risk, and how to seek or provide help effectively.
Recognize the warning signs
Some of the most common indicators that someone may be at risk of suicide include:
- Withdraw from social contact and want to be left alone
- Have mood swings, such as being emotionally high one day and deeply sad the next
- Talk or write about death, dying or violence
- Increase the use of alcohol or drugs
- Change routines, including eating or sleeping patterns
- Do risky or self-destructive things, such as using drugs or driving in a way that could cause harm
Learn more about the signs of suicide risk and how to take action here: Can you recognize the warning signs?
Equipped for conversation
Did you know that around 10-12% of adults experience suicidal thoughts at some point? Equally important: asking someone doesn’t increase that risk but opens a path to help and healing. When you suspect someone might be considering suicide, engaging in a private, honest conversation can be a critical step in offering support and potentially saving a life.
While no experience or special training is required to have this important conversation, these guidelines may help you feel more confident:
- Focus on connection: Your goal isn’t to solve their problems but to build a connection. Listen to their story, take their concerns seriously, and show that you genuinely care. Avoid debating the value of life or downplaying their struggles.
- Ask the question: Begin the conversation in a private setting, showing your vulnerability. You might start with something like, "Are you okay? I care about you and have noticed you haven’t been yourself lately." Ask directly if they are thinking about suicide, without judgment, and gently encourage them to seek treatment.
- Follow-up: After your initial conversation, it’s crucial to follow up. This reinforces that it was okay for them to open up and that you remain a safe and supportive person in their life.
- Avoid judgment: Steer clear of giving advice or minimizing their problems. Instead, focus on listening and understanding their perspective, offering them a compassionate ear rather than solutions.
These simple techniques can make a difference. Mission Save a Life also connects with more in-depth training resources such as Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) Training.
Where to get help
Mission Save a Life provides lists of available resources, including suicide hotlines, mental health applications, and other support services.
Their Let’s Talk! discussion board is another space for individuals to share their story, connect with others, and contribute skills and encouragement to others.
3. Action: An incubator for change-makers
Mission Save a Life suggests some ways individuals can take action by contributing to podcasts, discussions, events, and the Mission Save a Life resource center. However, Jennifer stresses that nobody has the one single answer – otherwise it would already have been done. That’s why, in addition to the three objectives above, Mission Save a Life prioritizes working with individuals to leverage their own passion, skills, and circles of influence to make a difference.
Podcasts focused on mental health and suicide are one example of grassroots projects the organization is supporting. For Mental Health Awareness Month in May, Mission Save a Life partnered with Microsoft employee and podcaster, Constantin Bo Morun, to produce a 20-episode podcast series hosted on his own blog, Unleash Thyself. The project’s success has led to the development of the Mission Save a Life "Let’s Talk About It" podcast, which will kick off in September, coinciding with Suicide Awareness Month. Other global podcasters have donated episodes to the Mission Save a Life podcast library including Schalk Neethling and Schalk Venter from Mental Health in Tech, Eric Berg from Geek Spreach, Nidhi Kapoor from Achieve Your Breakthrough, Nicholis Cabrejos from Lux Saigon, Sikta – Shine Your Light Brightly.
The "It’s a Life Worth Living" campaign is another project begun by two young women: "They just launched a 30-day challenge with a different daily theme that helps young people focus on the small things in life like gratitude, forgiveness, grounding in nature," Jennifer said, describing the campaign. The clothing line raises awareness as well as funds for the social campaign, content production, and internship opportunities with Mission Save a Life. Not only that, but it is also a great conversation starter.
Other projects in the works include a photographer who is working to offer classes that explore emotional resilience, a college athlete who is building a phone application focused on supporting the well-being of college athletes, and a pilot program to take young adults on challenging yet rewarding climbing trips as a means to self-discovery.
"What we’re doing is we’re taking people who have an idea, but don’t know how to get it out there," said Jennifer. "Anybody who has an idea can submit a proposal and we will figure out how we can support that. Our goal is to help them launch those ideas that will further the mission."
By providing networking connections, access to board member’s skill sets, and funding, Mission Save a Life functions as an incubator for innovative solutions to the overwhelming challenge of suicide.
Everyone matters
One of the most heartbreaking things about suicide is that many who attempt it believe other people would be better off without them. That’s just not true.
"Each and every person is a piece of the puzzle," said Jennifer. "Everybody has a unique skill, a unique purpose, a unique voice. You’re not meant to be like everybody else. I’m not meant to be like everybody else. We all have something unique to bring, and we are all irreplaceable."
If you are experiencing anxiety, depression, or thoughts of suicide, you are not alone – find resources and someone to talk to at Mission Save a Life.
If you are ready to help, find volunteer opportunities that leverage your unique capabilities.
Upcoming webinar: Breaking the Silence: Together, We Can Prevent Suicide One Conversation at a Time - Sparking Awareness, Education, and Action - So No One Else Is Caught by Surprise
On Wednesday, September 25, 2024, Jennifer Weis will host a WIT Network webinar dedicated to sparking awareness, driving education, and encouraging proactive action. We’ll explore how recognizing the signs, having open conversations, and accessing available resources can make a crucial difference. By coming together, we aim to ensure that no one else is caught by surprise - so that every life is valued, supported, and protected.
Jennifer has also written the book Caught in the Act: The Art of Choosing for Yourself to Change your Outcomes.
