The Power of the People!

I'm excited to report that our trip to Capitol Hill on Jun 17 proved to be quite successful! Hundreds of AFSP Volunteer Field Advocates descended on Capitol Hill during the 2013 Advocacy Forum on Suicide Prevention, Education and Research to speak to our elected members of congress about the issues of suicide, how it impacts the countliess lifes of their
constituents and how they might be able to help us prevent suicide. 

 

It is with great joy that I report that last week the Senate approved an additional $15 million for the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS). In order to design effective suicide prevention strategies, we must first have complete, accurate and timely information about deaths by suicide. NVDRS provides this information, which is essential to improve state & federal suicide prevention activities. Current funding of $3.5 million allows only 18 states to participate in this program. This increase in funding will make a huge difference!

 

Thank you to our elected officials for their support in our efforts to prevent of suicide!