AFSP Mobilizes for Suicide Prevention, Calls on Congress for Urgent Action to Address Veteran and Health Care Worker Suicide

WASHINGTON, June 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Nearly 250 Volunteer Advocates from across the country will gather at the nation's capital to learn about and advocate for lifesaving suicide prevention and mental health policies from June 22-25, 2025, for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) Annual Advocacy Forum. During their day on Capitol Hill, hundreds of Volunteer Advocates will meet with members of Congress and their staff to share their personal stories and urge support for and enactment of vital bipartisan legislation to impact this urgent public health matter—the 11^th leading cause of death in the U.S, with 49,000 lives lost to suicide in 2023. This effort builds on AFSP Advocacy Action Day events earlier this year in which 1,900 advocates participated in, meeting with and educating their state public officials – including over 320 legislative meetings in 46 states.

"AFSP and its network of Volunteer Advocates are at the forefront of fighting to save lives at the federal, state and local levels of government," said Laurel Stine AFSP Executive Vice President and Chief Policy & Advocacy Officer. "The Forum's focus on populations disproportionately affected by suicide, as a key pillar of AFSP's public policy priorities, will support Veterans and healthcare workers through the Saving Our Veterans Lives Act and the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Reauthorization Act, respectively.

The Saving Our Veterans Lives Act provides funding to create awareness about and make available secure firearm storage for this population. The Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Reauthorization Act allocates specific funds towards grants for training on and disseminating evidence-informed practices for preventing suicide and burnout, and campaigns to seek support and treatment for health professionals.

"Every year the Advocacy Forum is a powerful opportunity to show the breadth of people in the United States impacted by suicide," states Scott Rising, chair of AFSP's Public Policy Council and National Board Member. "We're honored that people who struggle, allies and survivors of suicide loss band with AFSP to share their stories directly with their legislators and each other to help enact change that will save lives."

Speakers 

Forum attendees will hear from experts and members of Congress on the importance of preventing suicide among Veterans and healthcare professionals, and the advocate voice in impacting policy change, including: 

Keynote Speakers:

• The Honorable Maxwell Frost, U.S. House of Representatives (FL)
• The Honorable Debbie Dingell, U.S. House of Representatives (MI)

Additional Speakers:

• Retired Army Master Sgt. Chris Allen, AFSP South Carolina Chapter
• Katie Dapper, Assistant Director, Division of Congressional Affairs, American Medical Association
• The Honorable Chris Deluzio, U.S. House of Representatives (PA-17)
• The Honorable Dick Durbin, U.S. Senate (IL)
• J. Corey Feist, JD, MBA, Founder / Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes' Foundation
• Bob Gebbia, Chief Executive Officer, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
• David Jobes, PhD, ABPP, National Public Policy Council, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
• The Honorable Tim Kaine, U.S. Senate (VA)
• Samantha Koehler, MPH, MSW, Senior Health Policy Advisor, Office of U.S. Senator Tim Kaine
• The Honorable Markwayne Mullin, U.S. Senate (OK)
• Paul Nestadt, MD, James Wah Professor of Psychiatry & Medical Director, Center for Suicide Prevention, Johns Hopkins Schools of Medicine and Public Health
• The Honorable Jay Obernolte, U.S. House of Representatives (CA-23)
• Jon Retzer, Deputy National Legislative Director for Health, Disabled American Veterans
• Scott Rising, BS, Chair, National Public Policy Council, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention 
• Laurel Stine, JD, MA, Executive Vice President and Chief Policy and Advocacy Officer, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
• The Honorable Mark Takano, U.S. House of Representatives (CA-41)
• The Honorable Todd Young, U.S. Senate (IN)

Honoring Suicide Prevention Champions

This year, AFSP will continue its Allies in Action Awards Program. Awards will be presented to members of Congress and their staff for outstanding leadership and steadfast commitment to advancing policies that prevent suicide and promote mental health. Award winners include:

• Tyler Allard, Deputy Legislative Director, Office of U.S. Representative Seth Moulton
• Jill Boland, Senior Policy Advisor, Office of U.S. Senator Jack Reed
• The Honorable Mike Lawler, U.S. House of Representatives (NY-17)
• The Honorable Mike Levin. U.S. House of Representatives (CA-49)
• The Honorable Jerry Moran, U.S. Senate (KS)
• The Honorable Jack Reed, U.S. Senate (RI)
• Jenny Tang, Staff Director, House Veterans' Affairs Committee, Majority
• Laura Titus, Senior Adviser, Health Policy, Office of U.S. Senator Jerry Moran

Attendance at the Forum is by invitation only. Highlight clips of the Forum's educational sessions and speakers will be uploaded to AFSP's Facebook and YouTube channels.  Your voice matters!  Everyone can support AFSP's legislative priorities and contact their members of Congress through the AFSP Action Center.

For a full agenda and list of speakers visit the 2025 Advocacy Forum webpage. To learn more about AFSP's support of Veterans and healthcare workers, visit our policy priorities page.

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is dedicated to saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide, including those who have experienced a loss. AFSP creates a culture that's smart about mental health through public education and community programs, develops suicide prevention through research and advocacy, and provides support for those affected by suicide. Led by CEO Robert Gebbia and headquartered in New York, with its Policy and Advocacy Office in Washington, D.C., AFSP has local chapters in all 50 states, D.C. and Puerto Rico, with programs and events nationwide. Learn more about AFSP in its latest Annual Report and join the conversation on suicide prevention by following AFSP on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and TikTok.    

Media interested in speaking with AFSP on this news are encouraged to fill out this press request form and review AFSP's Ethical Reporting Guidelines.

SOURCE American Foundation for Suicide Prevention