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¿Estás en una crisis? Llama o envía un mensaje de texto al 988 o envía un mensaje de texto con AYUDA al 741741

2023-2024 Public policy priorities

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Research, Surveillance, Data Collection, and Infrastructure

Designing and implementing effective national and state suicide prevention strategies requires a comprehensive understanding of who is dying by suicide and when.

This priority pillar includes:

  • State infrastructure
  • Architectural barriers and structures
  • Federal funding
Nurse standing against a window

Access to Care and Services

Geographic distancing, social isolation, inadequate access to mental health care providers, limited medical facilities, and social stigma can all contribute to suicide risk.

This priority pillar includes:

  • 988 and crisis services
  • Telehealth
  • Mental health parity
  • Workforce expansion
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Diverse, Underserved, and Disproportionately Impacted Communities and Populations

AFSP fights against discriminatory policies and seeks to learn from and with diverse individuals and communities how to best promote mental health and prevent suicide in underserved areas.

This priority pillar includes:

  • First responders, corrections staff, and frontline healthcare workers
  • LGBTQ individuals and communities
  • Veterans, servicemembers, and their families
  • Children, teens, and young adults
Firearms, Healthcare, Emergency Departments, Corrections Systems

Systems Change and Firearms Suicide Prevention

With guidance from the top minds in the field and dynamic data modeling, AFSP has identified and prioritized critical areas where suicide risk can be potentially reduced for the greatest number of people in the shortest amount of time.

This priority pillar includes:

  • Firearms
  • Healthcare systems
  • Emergency departments
  • Corrections systems

Advocate for suicide prevention

Learn how our volunteer Field Advocates are helping to pass suicide prevention legislation and policies that can save lives

Action Center

Visit our Action Center to stay up to date on the federal and state bills that need your support.