Advocacy is crucial for suicide prevention because it plays a significant role in raising awareness,
promoting policy changes, and creating supportive environments that can ultimately save lives.

Here's why advocacy matters:
  • Raising Awareness: Advocacy efforts help shine a spotlight on the issue of suicide, breaking down stigma and encouraging open conversations about mental health.
  • Reducing Stigma: Advocacy challenges the societal stigma surrounding mental health and suicide, making it more acceptable for individuals to seek help without fear of judgment.
  • Increasing Understanding: Advocacy provides accurate information about the warning signs of suicide, risk factors, and available resources, ensuring that people have the knowledge they need to recognize and respond to potential crises.
  • Policy Changes: Advocacy influences policy decisions by urging governments and institutions to allocate resources for mental health services, suicide prevention programs, and support initiatives.
  • Improved Access to Care: Through advocacy, efforts are made to ensure that mental health services are accessible, affordable, and available to everyone, regardless of their background or location.
  • Promoting Research: Advocacy supports research efforts to better understand the causes of suicide, the effectiveness of prevention strategies, and the impact of mental health interventions.
  • Lobbying for Legislation: Advocacy pushes for legislation that supports mental health parity, anti-discrimination measures, crisis response protocols, and the integration of mental health education in schools.
  • Encouraging Screening Programs: Advocacy encourages the implementation of mental health screening programs in schools, workplaces, and healthcare settings, helping identify individuals at risk.
  • Supporting At-Risk Populations: Advocacy focuses on vulnerable groups such as LGBTQ+ individuals, veterans, and youth, providing tailored support and awareness campaigns.
  • Training and Education: Advocacy efforts lead to the development of training programs that educate individuals, communities, and professionals about suicide prevention and intervention.
  • Creating Supportive Environments: Advocacy helps create environments that foster mental health and well-being, both in schools and workplaces, leading to healthier and more understanding communities.
  • Sharing Personal Stories: Advocacy involves sharing personal stories of recovery and resilience, offering hope to those who may be struggling and illustrating that seeking help is a sign of strength.
  • Global Impact: Advocacy extends to a global scale, addressing cultural attitudes, norms, and policies that impact mental health and suicide prevention efforts worldwide.
    ​
In summary, advocacy amplifies the importance of suicide prevention, drives positive change in policies and attitudes, and fosters a society that prioritizes mental health and supports those at risk. It brings together individuals, communities, organizations, and policymakers to work collectively towards a world with reduced suicide rates and improved mental well-being for all.
Register for New Mexico State Capitol Advocacy Day Here

Contact the Legislative / Policy Workgroup

Fill out the form to reach Wendy or just email Wendy or Cori directly.
Wendy Linebrink-Allison
[email protected]

Cori Reese (formerly Frolander)
[email protected]
Phone: (480) 262-1746