With the 119th Congress beginning its term, your voice has never been more important.
Over the years, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention has led the way on advocacy efforts to advance suicide prevention and improve mental health policy. And across the country, the grassroots network of Volunteer Advocates, supported by our Public Policy office in Washington, D.C., have won many legislative and policy victories at both federal and state government levels. We are proud to continue to innovate, advance, and engage in collaborative advocacy efforts, with your support, as we announce
AFSP’s 2025–2026 Public Policy Priorities.
Intended to be used by advocates, partners, and public officials at all levels of government as a resource for identifying policy opportunities to better promote suicide prevention and improve mental health, these top legislative and policy priorities were developed by the AFSP Public Policy Council and policy staff, and approved by the AFSP National Board to align with AFSP’s strategic plan.
The following four overarching pillars will guide AFSP’s public policy and advocacy priorities for the next biennium:
Services and Care, including 988 and crisis services, health care systems, workforce expansion, and mental health parity.
Lethal Means Safety, including firearms; architectural barriers and structures; and medications, toxic chemicals, and other substances.
Research and Infrastructure, including state infrastructure and federal investment.
Disproportionately Affected Communities and Populations, including first responders, corrections staff, and health care workers; LGBTQ individuals and communities; service members, Veterans, and their families; individuals who come into contact with the criminal legal system; children, teens, and young adults; and pregnant and postpartum individuals.
Within each of these four pillars, AFSP targets upstream prevention, early intervention, treatment, and recovery policies. AFSP also seeks to be inclusive of all individuals across the lifespan affected by suicide, with a focus on those in diverse, underserved, and disproportionately affected communities and populations, as well as those with lived experience.
