The need for new and improved policies to help improve the lives of those impacted by mental health conditions has never been greater. Here are steps you can take to be a mental health advocate.
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Support NAMi California Actions
Learn Why We Need Better Mental Health Policies
Stay Informed About Local Legislation and Follow Actions By Your Local Leaders
What’s New with Policy and Legislation
NAMI’s State Legislation Report: Trends in State Mental Health Policy (2020-2021) reveals that mental health was front and center in states’ policymaking in 2020 and 2021, following a trend in recent years that was accelerated by concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Progress was made in a variety of issues such as addressing the needs of youth; strengthening the implementation of both federal and state parity requirements; making more telehealth options available; building a comprehensive behavioral health crisis care system; reducing justice system involvement for people with mental illness.
Learn Why We Need Better Mental Health Policies
Know the facts and help spread the word.
We need new and improved policies to help individuals, families and our communities.
NAMI Petitions: Support National Policies Endorsed by NAMI National
Take Action: Tell Congress to support mental health research. Imagine if cancer, heart disease or diabetes was diagnosed just by using a short list of questions to assess symptoms. Due to the complexity of the brain and lack of strong research, this is how people are currently diagnosed with mental health conditions. This results in many mistakes in diagnosis and ineffective treatment. Sign NAMI’s petition.
More: Stay informed of NAMI’s national policy priorities: https://nami.quorum.us/action_center/
Stay Informed About Local Legislation and Follow Actions By Your Local Leaders
Sign up for email updates from your local representatives, and follow them on social media to stay updated on their policy decisions and priorities — and let them know what’s important to you! Find your Congressional representative here; find your California State Senator here and find your Los Angeles representative.
Learn to Be An Advocate
NAMI California’s Advocacy Toolkit includes guidance on how to be mental health advocate.
Vote and Help Get Out the Vote
Every election provides us with an opportunity to vote for leaders and laws to improve mental health services for individuals, families and communities. Commit to registering to vote in each election, make a voting plan, and encourage your friends, family and co-workers to vote as well!
Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk
Stay Informed About Our Work
- Sign up for our email newsletter to find out other opportunities to take action!
- Follow us and share and like our posts Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to help us spread the word and reach more community members.
