Held each June, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s annual Advocacy Forum gives AFSP staff and volunteer Field Advocates nationwide the opportunity to come together to meet with their members of Congress and learn what actions they can take to make suicide prevention a national priority.
Though we were unable to hold the event in-person this year due to COVID-19, our virtual 2020 Advocacy Forum brought together nearly 1,400 AFSP volunteers and staff who joined together virtually for a truly inspiring day of action.
We’d like to thank all of our guest speakers, including U.S. Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO) and U.S. Representatives Seth Moulton (D-MA) and Susan Wild (D-PA), as well as Dr. Barbara Van Dahlen, Executive Director of the President’s Roadmap to Empower Veterans and End a National Tragedy of Suicide (PREVENTS Task Force).
Advocates sent over 1,800 letters to the editor to their local media outlets and over 2,600 emails to members of Congress in support of AFSP’s federal policy priorities. A full recording of the event is available on the Advocacy Events webpage.
Finally, we’d like to thank all of the volunteer Field Advocates who joined us for the event. They are the voice of suicide prevention, and with their tireless efforts we can help to create a world without suicide.
