Stories about Advocacy Action Day
Volunteer Advocates Mobilize Nationwide to Urge Lawmakers to Support State-level Suicide Prevention Policies
Hosted annually by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), Advocacy Action Days are an opportunity for volunteers to share their experiences, bring hope to those affected by suicide, and urge lawmakers to advance state legislation and policies that support suicide prevention.
Volunteering With AFSP Gives Meaning to My Loss, and Purpose to My Future
When my family and I joined our first Out of the Darkness Walk, I had no idea how much it would change us. For the first time, I felt surrounded by people who truly understood, and I began to see a path forward. I now serve as Walk Chair for the very event that first gave me hope.
Through My Own Lived Experience, I've Learned We All Deserve a Support System
Everyone struggles with something in their life. Some more than others. But it’s what makes us human. To this day, I still struggle with anxiety and depression, but I’ve been able to manage it with what I’ve learned through treatment and therapy.
From Spreadsheets to State Capitols: Using Data to Propel Suicide Prevention Advocacy
As the qualitative data intern with AFSP’s national headquarters and a volunteer with the North Carolina Chapter, I not only had the opportunity to attend the North Carolina Advocacy Action Day in 2025, but I also have had the pleasure of conducting qualitative analyses of previous AADs.
AFSP’s Advocacy Action Days: Advocates Urge State Support for Suicide Prevention Legislation, Encourage Allies to Join
In 2025, AFSP’s Advocacy Action Day events include support for firearms suicide prevention, increased access to care and services, including the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, and supporting underserved and disproportionately impacted communities, including youth and LGBTQ populations.
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Advocates Gather Nationwide, Calling for Action on Suicide Prevention & Mental Health Policy
Top priorities include securing continued funding for state 988 crisis services systems and increasing lethal means safety
State Capitol Days: How Our Volunteer Advocates Are Making a Difference
State Capitol Days are here! Read how our Volunteer Advocates make a difference in supporting critical legislative and policy issues in their states — and how you can, too!
Training to Become a Volunteer Advocate for Suicide Prevention Felt Like a Gift
In January of 2016, I lost my 18-year-old nephew to suicide. The loss was devastating. Being an AFSP Volunteer Advocate has helped me process my own personal experiences, and be braver in standing up for my own needs, those of my family, our community, and all humans. We’re all in this together.
AFSP State Capitol Day Events 2022: A United Voice for Suicide Prevention
Each year, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s State Capitol Day events provide an opportunity for volunteer advocates to meet with state officials and share their experiences, urging support for legislation that can save lives.
Suicide Prevention Advocate Perspectives: Why the New 988 Crisis Number Matters – A Conversation with Kirsten Krueger of AFSP South Dakota
Starting in July 2022, people across the nation experiencing a suicide or mental health crisis will be able to dial just three digits – 988 – to be routed to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, a 24/7 toll-free crisis line that provides immediate care and resources to millions of callers every year.
Introducing AFSP’s Newest Public Policy Council Member: Beverly Goldberg
An interview with AFSP's newest PPC member who is dedicated to mental health advocacy.
Supporting the Future 988 Crisis Line Through a Week of Action
On November 16, community leaders and advocates across the country came together for REIMAGINE: A Week of Action to Reimagine Our National Response to People in Crisis, a three-day event to learn more about 988 and actions people can take to help to build a comprehensive crisis response system in their state.
What It Means to Be a Suicide Prevention Advocate: Making a Difference in My State
As a result of the dedication and perseverance of local field advocates, AFSP has become a lead voice in Oregon’s suicide prevention efforts statewide and played a large role in the enactment of several mental health and suicide prevention laws over the last three years.
Advocating for Change: AFSP’s 2021 State Capitol Day Events
At this year’s virtual State Capitol Day events, volunteer Field Advocates learned about important AFSP Public Policy Priorities and heard from their local chapter board members and public officials about the importance of advocacy and how they can make a difference in the legislative process.
Making Mental Healthy Parity a Priority in Arizona
Mental health parity is one of AFSP’s public policy priorities. Simply put, mental health parity means that insurance companies and health plans must cover mental health care the same way they cover other medical care, without any extra restrictions for mental health conditions and substance use disorders.
Advocates Support Youth Suicide Prevention Efforts in Lincoln
Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States and in Nebraska.
Advocates Gather for Mental Health Advocacy Day in Columbia
Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States and the eleventh leading cause of death in South Carolina.
Advocates Support Youth Suicide Prevention in Boise
Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States and the seventh leading cause of death in Idaho.
Suicide Prevention Advocates Gather for First State Capitol Day in Topeka
Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States and the ninth leading cause of death in Kansas.
Suicide Prevention Advocates Gather in Augusta to Urge Increased Access to Mental Health & Substance Use Care
Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States and the ninth leading cause of death in Maine.
Suicide Prevention Advocates Gather in Montgomery
Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States and the eleventh leading cause of death in Alabama.
Suicide Prevention Advocates to Gather in Lansing
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States and in Michigan.
Suicide Prevention Advocates Gather in Sacramento
The AFSP California Capitol Day is a special day for all who have a connection with or a personal story around the topic of suicide.
Suicide Prevention Advocates Gather in Denver
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States and the seventh leading cause of death in Colorado.
Advocates to Florida Lawmakers – We All Have a Role to Play in Preventing Suicide
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States and the eighth leading cause of death in Florida.
Advocates Urge Legislators to Keep Suicide Prevention Training in Indiana Schools
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States and in Indiana
Suicide Prevention Advocates Gather in Salem
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States and the eighth leading cause of death in Oregon.
Suicide Prevention Advocates Gather in Jefferson City
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States and in Missouri.
Advocates Urge Utah Lawmakers to Prioritize Mental Health, Crisis Services
As a suicide loss survivor, I advocate for Them. I advocate for Him. I advocate for Her. I advocate for You.
Advocates to Urge Lawmakers to Prioritize Suicide Prevention in Pierre
The AFSP South Dakota Capitol Day is a special day for all who have a connection with or a personal story around the topic of suicide.
Suicide Prevention Advocates Gather in Annapolis
The AFSP Maryland Capitol Day is a special day for all who have a connection with or a personal story around the topic of suicide
Suicide Prevention Advocates Gather in Nashville
AFSP volunteer advocates play a critical role in elevating the issue of suicide prevention in the minds and hearts of our state legislators.
Suicide Prevention Advocates Call for an In-State, Lifeline Crisis Call Center in Wyoming
On Thursday, February 13, advocates from the Wyoming Chapter will meet with lawmakers to urge their support of future legislative and funding efforts to bring a National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (NSPL)-affiliated crisis call center to the state.
Suicide Prevention Advocates Gather for Day on the Hill
The Suicide Prevention Day on the Hill is a special day for all who have a connection with or a personal story around the topic of suicide.
Advocates Urge Lawmakers in Phoenix to Support Mental Health & Prevent Suicide
The AFSP Arizona Capitol Day is a special day for all who have a connection with or a personal story around the topic of suicide.
Suicide Prevention Advocates to Meet with Lawmakers in the District of Columbia
Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States and the 15th leading cause of death in the District of Columbia.
Suicide Prevention Advocates Host Capitol Day in Trenton
Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States and the 14th leading cause of death in New Jersey.
Suicide Prevention Advocates Raise Their Voice for Mental Health in Columbus
Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States and the eleventh leading cause of death in Ohio.
Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Advocates Gather in Columbia
Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States and in South Carolina.
Suicide Prevention Advocates Meet with Lawmakers in Hartford
Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States and the 12th leading cause of death in Connecticut.
Advocates Gather in Montgomery to Be the Voice for Suicide Prevention
Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States and the 11th leading cause of death in Alabama.
Bringing Prevention to the Church
This piece originally appeared as a Volunteer Spotlight Story in AFSP’s 2018 Annual Report.
Suicide Prevention Advocates Gather in Harrisburg
Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States and the 11th leading cause of death in Pennsylvania.
Suicide Prevention Advocates Urge Lawmakers to Fund Suicide Prevention Efforts Across the Commonwealth
Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States and the 12th leading cause of death in Massachusetts.
Suicide Prevention Advocates Gather in Providence for First Annual State Capitol Day
Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States and the 11th leading cause of death in Rhode Island.
Suicide Prevention Advocates Raise Their Voices for Expanded Mental Health Services
Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States and the 12th leading cause of death in New York.
Suicide Prevention Advocates Meet with Lawmakers in Lansing
Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States, and in Michigan.
Minnesota Advocates from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Visit St. Paul to Meet with Lawmakers
On average, every eleven hours, someone dies by suicide in Minnesota. Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States and the eighth leading cause of death in Minnesota.
AFSP Suicide Prevention Advocates Hold First State Capitol Day in Dover
Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States and the eleventh leading cause of death in Delaware.
Suicide Prevention Advocates Raise Their Voice for Mental Health in Tallahassee
Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States and the eighth leading cause of death in Florida.
Suicide Prevention Advocates to Hold Candlelight Vigil to Raise Awareness in Juneau
Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States and the fifth leading cause of death in Alaska.
AFSP to hold powerful demonstration of suicide impact at Capitol
A powerful demonstration depicting the number of lives lost to suicide in Illinois will take place inside the Illinois Capitol building.
Advocates from The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Visit Lincoln to Meet with Nebraska’s State Senators
On average, one person dies by suicide every 32 hours in Nebraska, where suicide ranks as the ninth leading cause of death.
Suicide Prevention Advocates Gather in Madison for the First Annual State Capitol Day
Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States and the ninth leading cause of death in Wisconsin.
Advocates to Be the Voice for Suicide Prevention and Mental Health in Austin
Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States and the eleventh leading cause of death in Texas.
Suicide Prevention Advocates Gather in Augusta for AFSP State Capitol Day
Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States and the ninth leading cause of death in Maine.
Advocates Gather in Boise to Be the Voice for Suicide Prevention
Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States and the eighth leading cause of death in Idaho.
Advocates Gather in Denver for First Suicide Prevention Day at the Capitol
Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States and the seventh leading cause of death in Colorado.
Advocates to Be the Voice for Suicide Prevention and Mental Health in Jefferson City
Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States and in Missouri.
Advocates to Be the Voice for Youth Mental Health and Suicide Prevention in Indianapolis
Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States and in Indiana.
Suicide Prevention Advocates to Host First State Capitol Day Event in Salem
Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States, and it is the eighth leading cause of death in Oregon.
Advocates to Be the Voice for Suicide Prevention in Phoenix
Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States, and it is the eighth leading cause of death in Arizona.
Suicide Prevention Advocates to Visit Nashville
Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States, and it is the ninth leading cause of death in Tennessee.
Advocates to Visit Des Moines to Be The Voice for Youth Suicide Prevention
Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States, and it is the ninth leading cause of death in Iowa.
Suicide Prevention Advocates to Visit Annapolis
Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States, and it is the eleventh leading cause of death in Maryland.
Suicide Prevention Advocates to Visit Pierre
Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States, and it is the ninth leading cause of death in South Dakota.