The Lassen County Office of Education (LCOE) announced today that it will not be participating in this year’s American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) Walk, an event the organization has supported in past years.
This difficult decision comes after AFSP increased its request for a major sponsor contribution of
$7,500. LCOE believes this amount places a heavy burden on the local community to raise,
particularly in a rural county where resources are more limited.
While LCOE and its partners have consistently met donation requirements in prior years, the
organization has noted that AFSP resources rarely make their way to rural areas like Lassen
County. “We feel deeply saddened by this decision and the lack of resources the national
foundation has sent us in the past,” Megan Gray, the Mental Health Director for LCOE stated.
“Our local families and students deserve meaningful support, resources, and visibility in this
important cause.”
Looking ahead, LCOE is committed to working within Lassen County to bring the walk back at
a local level in 2026, ensuring that funds raised directly benefit students, families, and
community members. The goal will be to provide accessible, relevant, and impactful mental
health and suicide prevention resources where they are needed most.
“Suicide prevention remains a vital issue for our community,” Gray added. “We are dedicated to
uplifting this cause in a way that ensures local support and local impact.”
The Lassen County Office of Education encourages those struggling with mental health and the
thoughts of suicide to reach out to the Suicide and Crisis Hotline at 988.
Lassen County Office of Education Withdraws from AFSP Walk to Focus on Local Mental Health Initiatives
