SPAN was formed in 1996, coincidentally at the same time TeenScreen’s public survey projects started. In May 2009, SPAN merged with AFSP and serves as a “public policy and advocacy division” for American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (ASFP).^[1]

• Eli Lilly’s first quarter grant report for 2009 shows SPAN was gifted $25,000.^[2]

• Lilly’s 2008 grant report shows grants totaling $80,000.^[3]

• Lilly’s 2007 report shows $105,000.^[4]

• The 2006 Spring issue of SPAN’s “Network News” announced the “Friend for Life” sponsors. Forest and the industry’s trade group, PhRMA donated over $15,000. Pfizer gave between $10,000 and $14,999, Solvay between $6,000 and $9,999, AstraZeneca and Bristol-Myers Squibb donated between $2,000 and $5,999. Johnson & Johnson, Eli Lilly and Novartis each donated between $500 and $1,999.^[5]

• In the Summer 2005 Network News list includes Pfizer (over $10,000), Bristol-Meyers, Janssen, and Novartis (over $1,000 each) and Forest Labs (over $500.)^[6]

• Despite this nominally disclosed pharmaceutical funding, as of 2008 SPAN had provided $103.4 million in funding to 43 states, including 72 college and universities.^[7]

• A September 9, 2006 press release ran the headline: “SPAN USA Kicks Off National Suicide Prevention Week With Memorial March for Suicide Prevention” Among the sponsors who offered “generous support” for this event were Eli Lilly and Forest Pharmaceuticals.^[8]

• Three months later, SPAN advocated against the black box warnings on antidepressants, with a December 13, 2006 press release stating: “Leading Suicide Prevention Researcher Testifies against “Black Box” Notice for Antidepressants at FDA Hearing.”^[9]

[1] http://www.spanusa.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.viewPage&page_id=98B0C786-EFB1-9C18-7AB44DD6D12AC552.

[2] http://www.naturalnews.com/026789_suicide_suicide_prevention_Eli_Lilly.html.

[3] http://dissidentvoice.org/2009/04/just-say-no-to-the-mothers-act/.

[4] http://dissidentvoice.org/2009/04/just-say-no-to-the-mothers-act/.

[5] http://dissidentvoice.org/2009/04/just-say-no-to-the-mothers-act/.

[6] http://dissidentvoice.org/2009/04/just-say-no-to-the-mothers-act/.

[7] http://www.spanusa.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.viewPage&page_ID=99C4116B-95CC-7565-3298E891C8484E8B.

[8] http://www.naturalnews.com/026789_suicide_suicide_prevention_Eli_Lilly.html.

[9] http://www.naturalnews.com/026789_suicide_suicide_prevention_Eli_Lilly.html.