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INDIANAPOLIS, Feb. 19, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States and in Indiana. On Thursday, February 20, advocates from the Indiana Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), the largest suicide prevention organization in the United States, will meet with lawmakers to urge their support of: SB 208, which would strengthen the ability of the Department of Insurance to enforce mental health parity laws; SB 246, which would require schools to enter into formal agreements with community mental health providers or centers to provide services to students; and SB 273, which would establish the Indiana Behavioral Health Commission. Advocates will also be urging lawmakers to reconsider legislation that would weaken suicide prevention training requirements for Indiana educators.

"Advocating for suicide prevention is important as suicide is truly everyone's business. Research, education, prevention efforts, and advocacy for suicide prevention are all important and allow anyone to 'Be The Voice' for those lost to suicide or who may be struggling with a mental health issue. Every county in the state of Indiana has been touched by suicide and we advocate and educate others to create suicide safer communities for all Hoosiers," said Jennifer Tacket, AFSP Indiana Chapter Board Member and Education Chair.

The AFSP Indiana Capitol Day is a special day for all who have a connection with or a personal story around the topic of suicide. Attendees will meet with their legislators to share their stories about why they participate in this advocacy effort, giving a human face to this important public health problem. Advocates hope that by sharing their stories, they will help lawmakers understand that investments in mental health and suicide prevention can save lives.  

AFSP Indiana Chapter advocates are part of a larger national movement of AFSP volunteer advocates who will visit state capitols across the United States in 2020 to bring best practices in suicide prevention to legislators and their staff. To learn more about AFSP's advocacy efforts, visit here: https://afsp.org/our-work/advocacy/.

On average, 132 Americans died by suicide each day in 2018, and upwards of 90% of those individuals had a diagnosable mental health condition at the time of their death. AFSP volunteers will urge state lawmakers to be the voice for the thousands of residents across the state affected by mental health conditions and suicide each year.

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is dedicated to saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide. AFSP creates a culture that's smart about mental health through 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 a Public Policy Office in Washington, D.C. AFSP has local chapters in all 50 states and the District of Columbia 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, and YouTube.

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SOURCE American Foundation for Suicide Prevention