Washington – September 16, 2026 -- Seventeen Volunteer Advocates from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) will meet with members of Congress from September 16-18 to push for sustained federal funding and pending legislation on suicide prevention, arriving weeks after Congress passed the Youth Poisoning Protection Act (H.R. 1442/S. 289), which now awaits presidential signature.
Advocates from 14 states demand $549.6 million for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
The delegation, sponsored for a second year by AFSP's Illinois chapter during National Suicide Prevention Month, is lobbying for robust funding of the 988 Lifeline at $549.6 million, a $38 million allocation for the CDC's Comprehensive Suicide Prevention Program (CSP), and $2.548 billion for the National Institute of Mental Health.
Six of 14 represented states currently receive CDC suicide-prevention grants
Connecticut, Illinois, Michigan, Nebraska, Texas and Wisconsin are current CSP grant recipients. CDC WISQARS 2024 data cited by AFSP shows mixed trends: Connecticut's suicide rate rose 10% year-over-year, while Illinois and Michigan each fell 8%. Nebraska rose 3%, Texas held flat, and Wisconsin dropped 1%. Advocates from eight additional states -- including Alaska (up 6%), West Virginia (down 11%) and Washington state (down 8%) -- are also attending.
Advocates back two bills targeting lethal-means barriers and veteran suicide
Legislative priorities include the Barriers to Suicide Act (H.R. 3505) and inclusion of suicide-specific barrier language in the Surface Transportation Reauthorization package, alongside the Saving Our Veterans Lives Act (H.R. 1987/S. 926).
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