Our Stories Matter: Advocating for Smart Suicide Prevention Policy in Washington and Across the Country
October 7, 2026 – 4 min read
Our stories matter.
Our voices matter.
And when it comes to suicide prevention, I believe our advocacy matters.
In 2013, our family lost our daughter and sister, Abby, to suicide at the age of 13. I discovered early in my journey as a volunteer with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention that I am passionate about advocating for impactful public policy related to this cause. Sharing our family’s story with elected officials and advocating for policies that can help save lives at AFSP policy events such as Advocacy Action Days is incredibly meaningful to me. My husband and my daughter have also participated in AFSP advocacy events over the years, along with the support of our son. I am grateful that our family continues to stand together in this work.
On September 16-18, I attended my tenth federal advocacy event for AFSP: a Capitol Hill Fly-In, in which 16 other Volunteer Advocates and I convened in Washington, D.C. to share our personal experiences while urging members of Congress to support the following important suicide prevention and mental health priorities for FY27:
- $549.6 million for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
- $38 million for the CDC Comprehensive Suicide Prevention Program
- $2.548 billion for the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
- Cosponsor the Barriers to Suicide Act (H.R. 3505)
- Support Report Language to Prioritize Suicide Prevention Infrastructure
- Cosponsor the Saving Our Veterans Lives Act (H.R. 1987/S. 926)
One thing I heard early on in my advocacy efforts that has stayed with me is that many of the great medical challenges our country has faced have been addressed through funding and research. Funding is key to breakthroughs, better treatments, and ultimately, solutions.
The fact that this event was focused so strongly on funding suicide prevention, mental health, crisis services, and research made this experience especially meaningful to me.
Of the priorities we advocated for, funding the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline feels especially important.
Since its launch in July 2022, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline has received 26.2 million contacts through calls, texts, and chats. Demand continues to grow, with call volume increasing 12% in the most recent year-over-year comparison. Think about what that means:
26.2 million times, someone reached out.
Someone picked up the phone.
Someone sent a text.
Someone started a chat.
Someone, somewhere, needed help –– and 988 was there.
A recent study also found that 98% of Lifeline callers said the call helped them.
This is why funding 988 matters so much to me.
I think about every person who may reach a moment of crisis and simply needs someone to answer. We cannot know whose life might be changed by that one phone call.
Through my years with AFSP, I have learned that grief can become a source of purpose. AFSP describes advocacy as a place where “our stories matter.” Sharing my experience of loss is a way to convince others of the need for policies that help save lives. I cannot change the outcome of my family’s loss, but I can use my voice and our story to advocate for others in crisis.
While I was in Washington, D.C., I went for a jog from the Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial, reminding me of the importance of our mission. And another day, while walking, I came across a quote on a wall that has stayed with me:
“Develop enough courage that you can stand up for yourself and then stand up for somebody else.” –– Maya Angelou
That quote really resonated with me.
Because that is what advocacy has become for me: an opportunity to channel my grief into action, stand up for somebody else, and hopefully help others avoid experiencing the loss that we have experienced.
Recently, I have noticed something that gives me hope: the stigma surrounding mental health and suicide is diminishing. People are talking more openly and recognizing that suicide prevention requires awareness, connection, resources, research, and access to care.
I encourage everyone reading this to get involved in whatever way they can. For those interested in advocating for public policy, it’s easy to learn more and become a Volunteer Advocate for AFSP. Through events like Advocacy Action Days in state capitals across the country, and visiting the Action Center for alerts about legislation and policies that need our support, you can make a difference along with me and my family.
Together, we can advocate for resources, research, support, and access to care that may help others.
Because our stories matter.
Our voices matter.
And our advocacy matters.
