Changing policies and laws is one major way you can help make a difference in the lives of people affected by mental health conditions.

NAMI advo­cates with elect­ed offi­cials at all lev­els to make sure that all peo­ple in the U.S. with a men­tal health condition:

• Get help early
• Get the best pos­si­ble care
• Get divert­ed from jus­tice sys­tem involvement

WHY ADVOCACY??  WHY NAMI??

• Leg­is­la­tors are elect­ed BY YOU.
• There­fore, leg­is­la­tors are there TO SERVE YOU.
• The Gov­er­nor (and thus, the Exec­u­tive Branch) are elect­ed BY YOU.
• There­fore, the Gov­er­nor (and Exec­u­tive Branch — Sec­re­tary, Com­mis­sion­er, Depart­ment) are there TO SERVE YOU.
• A Democ­ra­cy requires that the voice of the peo­ple be heard.
• Why should that voice be yours?          Because…

                    YOU care — and YOU care passionately.

                    YOU have the courage to “put a face” on the problem.

                    YOU are pro­vid­ing accu­rate, pow­er­ful information.

                    YOU are will­ing to learn how the sys­tem works.

                    YOU VOTE — and YOU can influ­ence oth­ers to vote.

                    YOU are will­ing to talk to the media.

                    YOU can ral­ly grass­roots support.

                    YOU can build and be a part of coalitions.

                    YOUR posi­tion is “pure” — it comes from the heart.

                    YOU are will­ing to work — and to work hard.

                    YOU look good in RED!

                    YOU under­stand if YOU don’t speak out…who will?