SPAN USA was founded in 1996 by a husband and wife who were survivors of the suicide of their daughter. SPAN USA is dedicated to preventing suicide through public education and awareness, community engagement, and federal, state and local grassroots advocacy. SPAN USA envisions a world where suicide prevention is embraced as a public priority by all members of society, where people touched by suicide are supported, and where communities link awareness with action in order to save lives. SPAN USA draws attention to the problem of suicide, seeks partnerships to advance the cause of prevention, and builds the political will through a motivated and organized 50 state Field Advocate program necessary to move policies forward. The Suicide Prevention Action Network USA (SPAN USA) is the public policy division of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.