Miter Brands Celebrates Anniversary of Partnership with American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
The Miter Foundation, the charitable arm of Miter Brands, recently celebrated the one-year anniversary of its partnership with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP).
About this partnership
Over the past year, the two organizations have collaborated with a focus on educating Miter Brands team members on common risk factors and warning signs associated with suicide, as well as providing guidance on how to keep themselves and others safe.
With nearly 9,000 team members nationwide, Miter Brands used its Hegins, Pennsylvania, plant as a pilot location to introduce AFSP’s Talk Saves Lives (TSL) program. As part of the TSL program, AFSP – together with Miter Foundation representatives, hosted training sessions for Miter Brands team members with content focused on fostering a workplace culture that is proactive about mental health. TSL uses healing conversations, engagement opportunities, and other resources to provide participants with a better understanding of this leading cause of death, including the most up-to-date research on suicide prevention, and how individuals can take action in their communities to save lives.
What Miter leadership says
“Shortly after we partnered with AFSP last year and completed the TSL training, we experienced a situation that truly demonstrated the value of the relationship,” says Brett Erdman, Director of Operations at Miter Brands’ Hegins location. “I reached out to AFSP and within minutes, someone from their office contacted me and guided me through the best steps to take. That situation was resolved successfully, and I often think about how differently things could have turned out without that support. Since then, our team members have become much more comfortable discussing mental health challenges and recognizing warning signs, helping us intervene earlier and potentially save lives.”
More information
With the successful rollout of the Talk Saves Lives program at the Hegins location, the Miter Foundation plans to introduce the training at the remaining Miter Brands locations across the country.
The partnership has also introduced Miter Brands team members to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, which provides 24/7 free and confidential support by trained counselors to anyone navigating a mental health or substance abuse crisis, and to anyone supporting someone through such a crisis. AFSP has also provided resources to help team members start conversations with those in need, promote encouragement and awareness, and find support for those who have lost someone to suicide.
On October 4, 2025, the Foundation plans to participate in its first Out of the Darkness Walk in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Hosted by the AFSP, donations from the walk help fund research for suicide prevention, create and distribute education programs, advocate for public policy, and support survivors of suicide loss.
