How Counselors Can Advocate during Suicide Prevention Month

During Suicide Prevention Month in September, ACA applauds several major recent step that the federal government has taken steps to assist those in crisis and improve mental healthcare accessibility. We also recognize that there’s much more that we all can do to support suicide prevention and people experiencing mental health crisis.

The federal government has taken steps to assist those in crisis and improve mental healthcare accessibility. The Biden-Harris Administration has released the 2024 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention and Federal Action Plan and finalized a new mental health parity rule. Together, the White House and Congress have invested more than $12 billion in mental health and substance use services and increased access to counseling and mental health resources for first responders. The new 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline has helped more than 10 million people over two years while expanding its accessibility and taking an intersectional approach. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) continues to administer millions in mental health and substance use grants, spotlight new tools and opportunities, and host webinars on important mental health issues.

ACA commends the efforts of the federal government while acknowledging that there is still so much more we can do. We invite counselors and other mental health professionals to continue to raise their voices to increase awareness of the urgent public health crisis around suicide. Here are a few ways that counselors can advocate during September and beyond:

• Help raise awareness for the 988 Lifeline (see here for free 988 stickers and magnetics from SAMHSA).
• Write to your legislators about key mental healthcare and counseling issues through our Action Alert Center.
• Join an Advocacy Power Hour to discuss policy updates (see ACA Connect for information on joining the zoom sessions).
• Work with your local ACA branch to advocate on state level issues
• Vote! ACA is a nonpartisan organization, and we do not endorse any candidates. We do, however, encourage all citizens to vote and have created a voter guide for counselors.

To learn more about advocacy and get involved, visit www.counseling.org/advocacy.