Public policy events

Held in June each year, the Advocacy Forum brings together AFSP Volunteer Advocates from across the country to make their voices heard for suicide prevention and mental health. View the 2022 Advocacy Forum webpage.

AFSP Advocates are joined by members of Congress, policy experts, and others impacted by suicide and mental health to learn about the federal policy changes and legislation that can save lives. As part of the Advocacy Forum, AFSP chapter representatives have the opportunity to meet with members of Congress and their staff to speak about AFSP’s legislative priorities that need support.

Learn how you can make an impact for the policy areas that need support by signing up as an AFSP Volunteer Advocate.

Each year, State Capitol Day events bring advocates together with state and local public officials to share information and urge that suicide prevention be made a priority. Each event is customized with the help of the AFSP Public Policy Office to meet each state’s unique needs and legislative priorities. State Capitol Day events can be hosted by a single AFSP chapter, organized by several chapters within a state, or done in coordination with partner mental health and suicide prevention organizations.

As part of our State Capitol Day events, advocates have the opportunity to meet with their legislators and speak about legislative and policy issues that need support. Because of these personal connections between advocates and lawmakers, state bills have been enacted that now ban the practice of conversion therapy, require suicide prevention policies and personnel training in K-12 schools, increase suicide prevention on college and university campuses, require insurance plans to treat mental health and physical health equally, and create statewide suicide prevention offices and task forces. Many thanks to our advocates who make their voices heard each year at State Capitol Day events!

Find State Capitol Day events by visiting our Program Calendar.