Three-Year Strategic Plan

The new three-year strategic plan was developed by listening to all voices within the organization, and has four goals and 21 key strategies that will drive the work of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) will accomplish over the course of the plan.

The strategic plan is based on AFSP’s unique position, which gives those affected by suicide a nationwide community empowered by research, education, advocacy and support to take action against this leading cause of death. Further, it applies a public health approach, integrating scientific research & community engagement, and the use of a nationwide chapter network and strategic partnerships to deliver evidence-informed suicide prevention and to advocate for effective public policies.

This plan also builds on progress AFSP made in implementing the previous strategic plan and identifies critical issues that are important for AFSP to concentrate on over the next 3 years, including:

• Increasing the investment in research, education, advocacy and support
• Serving individuals and communities across the U.S., particularly those at highest risk for suicide & those disproportionately impacted
• Developing strategic partnerships to scale suicide prevention in the U.S.
• Using data to measure and communicate impact
• Strengthening AFSP’s network of community-based chapters
• Striving for operational excellence, efficiency and transparency

As it carries out the strategic plan, AFSP will be relentless in its efforts to achieve the desired outcomes within each strategy and will do everything it can to advance its mission to save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide.

Accelerate progress in suicide prevention research by driving discovery and innovation

Strategies

• Prioritize research opportunities for early career researchers and those from underrepresented backgrounds 
• Target research priorities that address AFSP-identified gaps in the science, policy and practice, and studies focusing on disproportionately impacted populations
• Involve people with lived experience in studies, including those who experienced a loss, suicidal ideation, a suicide attempt or their families
• Increase the public’s knowledge and use of research findings

Influence development and impact of public policy at federal, state and local levels

Strategies

• Utilize AFSP-identified public policy priorities to guide advocacy 
• Cultivate key relationships across all levels of government 
• Expand and mobilize volunteer advocates to advance public policy priorities 
• Identify and foster partnerships aligned with public policy priorities 
• Leverage research and public health data to support advocacy

Deliver evidence-informed programs to raise awareness, enhance knowledge, and influence attitudes and behaviors

Strategies

• Drive the public’s awareness and understanding of suicide and its impact 
• Enhance and scale prevention education and loss support programs
• Serve as a catalyst that elevates and engages marginalized communities in suicide prevention and loss support 
• Identify and partner with disproportionately impacted populations and industries on culturally responsive programs 
• Measure and communicate the reach and impact of initiatives

Maximize AFSP’s strengths and capabilities to drive its mission 

Strategies

• Achieve revenue growth to advance the mission 
• Strengthen collaboration among staff teams and between national and chapter staff 
• Empower and strengthen chapters to deliver on the mission 
• Identify and leverage organizational partnerships to advance the mission 
• Foster an engaged and diverse workforce, and an organizational culture that makes AFSP a great place to work 
• Strengthen AFSP’s brand and reputation as the leader in suicide prevention

AFSP is a member of the CEO Alliance for Mental Health, a leadership coalition of the nation’s 16 most prominent mental health advocacy organizations, professional associations and media partners. Formed in the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic and the sharply increased demand for mental health care, we developed A Unified Vision for Transforming Mental Health and Substance Use Care. Across each of 7 strategic pillars, we seek to advance policy, programs and standards that could effectively respond to the nation’s critical mental health needs, along with the social and economic conditions that result in inadequate and inequitable access to treatment.