Mid-Year Momentum: Advancing Our Shared Vision for Suicide Prevention

With 2025 well underway, the Action Alliance is inspired by the dedication of our partners and the building momentum as we drive suicide prevention strategies forward across the nation. Thanks to the continued engagement and unwavering commitment of both public and private sector partners, we are making meaningful strides in advancing the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention.  



Together, we are putting our strategic priorities into practice and driving the work forward in real, measurable ways.  

Since launching five strategic priorities in 2024, the Action Alliance Executive Committee (EXCOM) members and partners have been working in close collaboration to translate these priorities into practice, supporting the goal of advancing high-priority objectives of the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention (National Strategy). 

Together, we are:  



• Measuring Progress, Accountability, and Data: Developing a framework to track progress on the National Strategy, with a focus on data quality and representation across groups. 
• Strengthening Research: Promoting research expansion to ensure all initiatives are grounded in science. 
• Improving the Crisis Care Continuum: Driving momentum for improvements across the crisis care continuum, including and beyond the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. 
• Scaling Effective Suicide Prevention in Healthcare: Advancing focused, effective suicide prevention solutions that scale within and across health systems. 
• Aligning Messaging and Communications: Developing, disseminating, and aligning the field around research-informed messages to spur change. 

We look forward to sharing continued updates as this work evolves and as we build on this momentum together.  

Learn more about the five strategic priorities listed above here. 

New from CDC: Suicide Prevention Communication Campaign Playbook

CDC has released a new Communication Campaign Playbook and companion Brainstorm Book to help organizations create effective, evidence-based suicide prevention campaigns.

Aligned with the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention and CDC’s Suicide Prevention Resource for Action, this resource offers practical tools for building collaborative, community-driven messaging efforts.

The Playbook is suitable for federal, state, and local health agencies, nonprofit organizations, private sector entities, suicide prevention coalitions, and other partners engaged in this vital work.  

Looking Ahead to Suicide Prevention Month #SPM25

As September approaches, the Action Alliance and partners are preparing to once again come together for Suicide Prevention Month 2025. This annual effort offers a powerful opportunity to elevate awareness, advance hope, and promote action in driving suicide prevention strategies across communities nationwide. 



Building on the momentum of past years, we’ll share tools, messaging guidance, and calls to action to help organizations and individuals engage in safe, effective, and meaningful ways. 



Stay tuned for #BeThere campaign updates on our social media channels, resources, partner-led initiatives, and ways to get involved as we work together to strengthen our collective impact. 

These highlights showcase the impactful work of Action Alliance partners and the broader field, reflecting innovation, leadership, and progress in shaping the future of suicide prevention. 

Cal Beyer's Keynote at Construction Working Minds Summit

In February, EXCOM Member Cal Beyer, Sr. Director, SAFE Workplaces for SAFE Project delivered the Day 2 opening keynote at the 4th Annual Construction Working Minds Summit in Dallas-Fort Worth, addressing “Straight Talk: The Lowdown on #Overdoses.” His talk focused on what every employer and family need to know about this critical issue, helping to raise awareness in a vital industry.  

In recognition of his distinguished leadership and significant contributions to the construction industry -- particularly his advocacy for mental health and suicide prevention -- Cal was recently elected as a member of the National Academy of Construction Class of 2025. 

Additionally, Cal participated in a series of interviews with Radio Ink to discuss the unique mental health challenges facing broadcast professionals. Thank you to EXCOM member National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) for facilitating this opportunity. 

Pictured above: Cal Beyer giving his keynote address. Photo by Sally Spencer-Thomas

Dr. Carolyn Clancy Receives John Edward Porter Legacy Award 

Research!America honored Dr. Carolyn Clancy, Assistant Under Secretary for Health, Discovery, Education and Affiliate Networks (DEAN) at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and EXCOM Public Co-Chair, with the prestigious John Edward Porter Legacy Award for her outstanding advocacy and leadership in health research.  

Crisis Jam Launches at Huntsman Family Foundation Crisis Care Center 



March 2025 saw the Crisis Jam go live in Salt Lake City at the new and innovative Huntsman Family Foundation Crisis Care Center, showcasing state-of-the-art crisis care. The event highlighted transformative approaches to behavioral health crisis response. Watch the tour here, featuring EXCOM Member David Covington, LPC, MBA, Chief Executive Officer and President, Recovery Innovations, Inc.

New Study Shows Impact of Zero Suicide Model 



U.S. News & World Report recently covered a JAMA Network study reporting significant reductions in suicides and attempts within health systems implementing the Zero Suicide Model. EXCOM Member Mike Hogan, Principal at Hogan Health Solutions LLC, was quoted in the article, highlighting the importance of focused suicide prevention efforts in healthcare. 

Executive Committee Meeting



The Spring 2025 Executive Committee meeting (EXCOM) engaged members in focused discussions on strategic priorities, offering insights and identifying opportunities to support Advisory Groups as they continue shaping plans to advance the partnership’s shared work over the coming years. 

Victor R. Armstrong Sr., MSW, Named NASW National Social Worker of the Year



Victor Armstrong’s national recognition from the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) reflects his exceptional contributions to social work and suicide prevention, including his role as Action Alliance Steering Committee Member and Co-Chair of the Progress, Accountability, and Data Advisory Group.

Action Alliance at Leading Conferences



The Action Alliance Secretariat proudly participated alongside our partners in key events this year, including presentations at the American Association of Suicidology (AAS), the Suicide Research Symposium, the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP), as well as attending the National Council for Mental Wellbeing (NatCon), and Hollywood & Mind.

These moments underscore the collective effort behind this movement and the work still ahead. 

Pictured: EXCOM Member Arthur Evans Jr., PhD, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Vice President, American Psychological Association (APA), and Action Alliance Deputy Director, Dana Careless, attending NatCon, the National Council for Mental Wellbeing’s annual conference. 

We gratefully acknowledge the support of our Executive Committee (EXCOM) sponsors and funders of projects that advance the mission and vision of the Action Alliance, including CARF, Disney Worldwide Services, Inc., Johnson & Johnson, Four Pines Fund, Safe States Alliance, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC), and Universal Health Services Inc. (UHS). We also extend our sincere thanks to individual donors and all partners whose contributions make this work possible. 

The Action Alliance looks forward to continuing to build and scale cross-sector partnerships, advancing the goals and objectives of the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention, and driving forward the strategic priorities in partnership with you. 

If you are interested in supporting the work of the Action Alliance, including supporting components of upcoming meetings or underwriting specific work, please contact Dana Careless, Deputy Director of the Secretariat at dcareless@edc.org. 

Stay connected and informed –  if this email was forwarded to you, sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest updates, insights, and opportunities from the Action Alliance. By joining our email list, you’ll receive an occasional email with Action Alliance updates, key project information, and more.  

Follow our social media channels for the latest news, resources, and opportunities. Join our growing community as we work together to strengthen suicide prevention efforts nationwide. 



Thank you for all you do to support and advance suicide prevention. 

STAY CONNECTED

The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (Action Alliance) is a nonpartisan, independent, public-private national partnership for suicide prevention. The Action Alliance brings together the best thinking and resources from the public and private sectors to steward and advance the goals and objectives of the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention (National Strategy) – the road map for a comprehensive approach to preventing suicide. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), through the Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) grant, provides funding to the Education Development Center (EDC) to operate and manage the Secretariat for the Action Alliance, which was launched in 2010.