Candidates for Public Office
Laura Warburton: A Life of Compassionate Conservatism and Suicide Prevention Advocacy
After losing her daughter Hannah to suicide, Laura Warburton transformed her grief into a powerful mission to save lives. As founder of Live Hannah’s Hope and a key advocate behind Utah’s SafeUT app, Laura champions youth mental health, parental rights, and compassionate conservatism. Her story is one of resilience, legislative impact, and unwavering hope—a reminder that even profound loss can spark meaningful change and healing for countless others.
Laura Warburton’s journey is one marked by resilience, compassion, and a deep commitment to public service and suicide prevention advocacy. As the founder and Executive Director of Live Hannah’s Hope, Laura has dedicated her life to empowering youth, reducing suicide rates, and transforming how society approaches mental health awareness. Her story is not just about personal tragedy but about the hope and change that can arise when pain fuels purpose.
Roots and Values: From California to Utah
Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, Laura’s conservative values emerged early. Despite California’s liberal reputation, she was a self-identified Republican from a young age. A pivotal influence was Cleon Skousen, a conservative author whom she met at 18. His teachings, which Laura still cherishes, helped shape her political philosophy of personal responsibility and limited government.
Her faith journey also defined her path. Though not raised in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), she joined the church at 18. Later relocating to Utah and settling in Ogden Valley, Laura embraced a rural lifestyle on five scenic acres with horses—deepening her ties to the local community.
PoliticIt Radio – Because of Hanna
Education and Early Curiosity
Laura describes traditional high school as unengaging, but she thrived in an accelerated private program. Her mind remains fast-paced, often absorbing audiobooks at increased speed—a testament to her thirst for knowledge.
Entering Politics: People First, Politics Second
Laura officially entered political life in 2010 but had served as a state delegate since 2001. After a brief political hiatus to adjust to Ogden Valley, she dove back into local politics, guided by a powerful principle: “Make people first, politics second.”
Identifying as a “compassionate conservative,” Laura believes deeply in helping others but prefers personal outreach over government mandates. Her early activism addressed local land use issues around Powder Mountain, where she learned a vital lesson: investigate the facts before reacting.
Bio: Laura Warburton
Laura is the founder and Executive Director of Live Hannah’s Hope, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering youth and reducing suicide through education, research, advocacy, and awareness. After the heartbreaking loss of her 16-year-old daughter Hannah to suicide on June 19, 2014, Laura committed her life to preventing similar tragedies.
Choosing not to dwell on “what ifs,” she embraced the mantra Because of Hannah—a guiding force in her mission to support struggling youth, comfort survivors, reduce the stigma around mental illness, and raise awareness about the long-term effects of concussions.
A certified QPR Master Trainer, Laura is also trained in SafeTalk, Crisis Response Planning (CRP), Peer-to-Peer Grief Facilitation, Learning to Breathe, and The Work of Byron Katie. Her unique problem-solving ability and collaboration with lawmakers have contributed to several of Utah’s suicide prevention policies.
Laura speaks to youth and adult audiences in both secular and faith-based settings. Though a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she connects with all faiths, offering hope, healing, and education—essential tools in suicide prevention.
Her favorite invitation: “Let’s talk about it.”
From Volunteer to Legislative Insider
Laura’s involvement deepened when she accepted Representative Gage Froerer’s invitation to speak to constituents. Though initially confident in her position, she was humbled when her well-researched arguments met disagreement. This inspired her to learn more about the legislative process.
She was surprised to learn legislators earned only $6,500 annually and often lost money serving. Respecting their sacrifices, she offered to help Froerer, eventually becoming an unpaid administrative assistant—affectionately, “the oldest intern on the hill.”
Her first legislative effort addressed youth home issues in Weber County. Though modest in impact, the experience marked the beginning of a profound commitment to the legislative process.
A Mother’s Tragedy: Fueling a Mission
Everything changed in 2014 when Laura lost her 16-year-old daughter, Hannah, to suicide. Hannah had struggled silently with pain and mental health issues. Her death was the turning point that transformed Laura’s focus from political volunteerism to full-time advocacy.
Legislative Breakthroughs: Advocacy in Action
Laura was already involved in family-focused legislation, including a parental notification bill around school bullying—a bill supported by Hannah and her siblings. Hannah was active politically as vice chair of the Young Republicans, already engaged in community causes.
Following Hannah’s death, Laura worked with the Utah Epilepsy Association and Representative Froerer to pass a groundbreaking bill legalizing high-CBD cannabis oil. This bill, the first of its kind nationally, excluded THC but brought relief to those with seizure disorders. It also mirrored Hannah’s post-concussive struggles following a car accident.
Changing the Conversation on Suicide: SafeUT
A landmark result of Laura’s advocacy is the creation of the SafeUT app. Developed in collaboration with the Attorney General’s office and Huntsman Mental Health Institute, SafeUT provides anonymous, chat-based access to licensed mental health professionals.
This tool resonates with youth and has contributed to a 27% reduction in youth suicide in Utah over five years—a time when national rates were stable or rising.
Legislative Wins and Training Programs
Laura helped pass several key bills:
Major Legislative Achievements:
- Legalization of high-CBD oil
- Suicide prevention training mandates for educators and therapists
- Enhanced mental health crisis response protocols
As a master trainer in QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer), Laura leads evidence-based suicide prevention sessions.
Data-Driven Advocacy and Persistent Challenges
Laura has pushed for improvements in data collection surrounding suicide cases. She successfully advocated for the inclusion of a forensic psychologist in the Medical Examiner’s office, aiming to better understand causes and prevention.
Live Hannah’s Hope: Resilience in Action
In Hannah’s memory, Laura founded Live Hannah’s Hope, a nonprofit resource hub for youth and families struggling with mental health. The organization offers educational tools, training resources, and access to crisis support.
A centerpiece is the Resilience Award—a $500 annual scholarship for high school seniors who demonstrate perseverance through adversity. Notable recipients include:
- Taylor, who overcame family incarceration and addiction
- Maya, who survived suicide attempts and found hope through SafeUT
Every Child Deserves Access
Laura passionately believes every child should have access to confidential, effective mental health tools. She shares stories like Mia’s, who turned to SafeUT in a moment of crisis. Her message: not all children have a supportive home; resources must be readily accessible to protect them.
Her experience with Hannah—a high-achieving, loving teen who kept her struggles hidden—underscores this reality.
Supporting Parents, Educators, and the Community
Laura champions open, nonjudgmental conversations about mental health. She urges parents to express unconditional love, even when children are withdrawn. As a homeschooler and advocate for parental rights, she helped establish a parental advisory council for SafeUT to ensure family voices are included.
How You Can Help
- Download and promote the SafeUT app among youth and families
- Visit Live Hannah’s Hope for support tools and resources
- Support suicide prevention organizations via donations or volunteering
- Talk openly about mental health with empathy and without judgment
- Learn suicide prevention techniques, such as QPR
Laura is accessible through social media and her website. She welcomes conversations with parents, survivors, and community leaders who want to make a difference.
A Message of Hope: Because of Hannah
Laura Warburton’s life exemplifies how purpose can rise from pain. Her story is a powerful reminder that advocacy, compassion, and persistent effort can save lives. Her mantra, “Because of Hannah,” is a call to action for all of us to break the silence around mental health and build a more compassionate world.
Her parting wisdom? Keep talking. Keep listening. Reach out. Together, we can make a difference.
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