Each year during AFSP’s State Capitol Days, volunteer Field Advocates across the country gather at their state Capitol buildings to champion suicide prevention and mental health policy, share their connections to the cause, and educate legislators on the policies that can save lives.

Tim Krivanek of Washington state is just one of the many volunteers who have made a difference during a State Capitol Day event:

“When our 15-year-old daughter, Nina, died by suicide in September 2016, my wife Dawn and I chose to bring our story out of the darkness to help others. Advocacy is a simple way for us to make a difference by supporting changes to laws (and pushing for new ones) that will bring mental health and suicide prevention into our regular conversations and help save lives. AFSP’s National Policy Team, along with the support of other volunteer Field Advocates like myself across the country, were instrumental in passing a bill that will fund 988, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, and our local crisis call centers the same way as the 911 number.” (Read more of Tim’s story in our 2021 Annual Report.)

You can make a difference, too. We hope you’ll join us for a 2022 State Capitol Day event in your state.