Planting Seeds: Cultivating Suicide Prevention Advocacy in Our Nation’s Capital

Something I have been amazed by in my 12+ years of volunteering with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is how committed AFSP staff and volunteers are to ensuring that anyone attending an AFSP event feels supported, welcomed, and valued. This was especially true during the 2026 Advocacy Forum, which each year brings AFSP Volunteer Advocates to Washington, D.C., from local chapters across the country to meet with members of Congress and their staff to speak about AFSP’s legislative priorities that need support.

This year’s event happened to start on Mother’s Day. As a mom, I appreciated that Sunday’s activities were optional and included a Wall of Strength, which invited attendees to contribute a message or picture honoring Mother’s Day and caregivers.

An informal Sunday meant a long and productive day of learning on Monday. AFSP EVP and Chief Advocacy and Policy Officer Laurel Stine, AFSP CEO Bob Gebbia, and National Public Policy Council Chair Scott Rising welcomed everyone and set the tone for what to expect while assuring us we would have all the tools we needed for successful Tuesday meetings on the Hill.

Laurel shared a Ralph Waldo Emerson quote, which stood out to me: “Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.” Anyone who has ever met Laurel knows how enthusiastic she is about advocacy, which made this message really resonate. Scott also spoke to the question of why we were all there as volunteers –– people who have been touched by suicide on a personal level, but many of whom might not have previously felt confident getting involved in political advocacy: “You’re here because of your stories. You are the expert of your own story. This is long work: we’re planting seeds.”

The idea of planting seeds was reiterated later in the day in a keynote presentation given by Acting Director and Deputy Director for Management and Program Operations Division of Violence Prevention at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Reshma R. Mahendra. Ms. Mahendra encouraged us, when thinking about what to concentrate on while meeting with our elected officials and their staffs, to determine what plants we can continue to grow and cultivate with the soil we have right now.

Thankfully, we had the amazing guidance of AFSP’s Policy and Advocacy staff to decide which seeds to plant this year. The three pieces of legislation we were advocating for were the Daniel J. Harvey, Jr. and Adam Lambert Improving Servicemember Transition to Reduce Veteran Suicide Act, which will assist service members in transition away from active-duty military service and support Veterans in their first year of transition into civilian life; the Stabilization to Prevent (STOP) Suicide Act, which establishes a competitive grant program within SAMHSA to support suicide-specific stabilization services such as outpatient services, virtual care and peer support; and the Barriers to Suicide Act, which supports the installation of suicide-deterrent barriers on bridges and non-bridge structures that are high risk for suicide attempts, by authorizing $10 million annually between FY 2026 and FY 2030.

Each bill had a dedicated educational session to explain what the bill will do and why these bills matter now. Each session included the facts and figures behind the bills, but also stories of why they mattered:

Representative Zach Nunn (IA) and Representative Seth Magaziner (RI) shared the stories of Daniel J. Harvey, Jr. and Adam Lambert, which highlighted why additional supports are needed for servicemembers transitioning back to civilian life.  

Jacob Mleziva, a fellow AFSP volunteer, shared his story about receiving suicide-specific stabilization services, explaining why the right care at the right time matters and needs to be prioritized and funded.

Erin Miles, programs manager for AFSP New Hampshire and AFSP Maine, told us the story of her sister, Danielle, and how unbelievable loss inspired her to share Danielle’s story and enact real change in Tennessee. Erin shared that, “Real change happened because people kept showing up.”

Three additional breakout session options also allowed advocates to learn more about Equity in Youth Suicide Prevention; 988: Beyond the Call; and Building Hope: Advocating for Architectural Barriers.

Tuesday started bright and early with breakfast and last-minute instructions before we all met in front of the hotel to walk to Capitol Hill. It was especially meaningful to walk together in our blue AFSP Advocacy Forum t-shirts and take a group photo in front of the Capitol, as we would be breaking out into groups by state for over 200 meetings throughout the day.

Thinking back to the Emerson quote Laurel had shared, I felt a burst of enthusiasm as my small group from New Jersey walked from meeting to meeting. I could also palpably see the enthusiasm others were feeling when we passed other AFSP advocates in hallways and between buildings.

Tuesday evening, we came back together for the Capitol Hill Reception and Allies in Action Member of Congress Awards. The AFSP Allies in Action Award celebrates outstanding leadership and steadfast commitment to advancing policies that prevent suicide and promote mental health. Six members of Congress were recognized, including NJ Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, who was awarded the special Lifetime Achievement designation.

On Wednesday morning, we gathered together, now in comfy clothes, for breakfast, more awards, and a chance to reflect on our busy few days with new friends and fellow Volunteer Advocates. Five Congressional Staffers were awarded the Allies in Action Congressional Staff Awards, while the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation and Inseparable were awarded the Allies in Action Partnership Awards. The Sandy Martin Grassroots Advocate of the Year awards were given out to four AFSP volunteers identified as “unsung heroes” working at the state or local level who clearly exemplify sustained commitment to advocating for life-saving suicide prevention public policy. Those volunteers and their chapter affiliation are Autumn Kessler (Ohio), Alan Mednick (North Florida), Lucianne Ryan (San Francisco Bay Area), and Tori Yeates (Utah).  

To learn more about the three bills we are supporting, and how you can get involved in advocating for suicide prevention, visit AFSP’s Advocacy web page and the AFSP Action Center.