Advocacy for NAMI Metro covers many areas, such as education, providing support by helping people understand how they can navigate the many services for mental health, and fighting stigma. Our help lines, support groups and educational classes are great ways to find the help you may need so you can advocate for yourself and your loved ones. As an all volunteer group with lived experiences, we do not provide professional or personal services by attending court or agency type events that someone may be looking for. This section of our Web site deals with two distinct areas where NAMI Metro advocates can make a difference. Those areas are helping to change and improve the system for those affected by mentally health illnesses and their families. NAMI Metro has a board member assigned to public policy and advocacy reporting through our NAMI Metro newsletter that goes to all NAMI Metro members.
ELECTIONS ARE CRITICAL AND YOU NEED TO VOTE
There are some important questions to ask in the process of registering to vote.
- The first is: Am I eligible to vote?
- The next question would be: How do I register?
- Or: Am I already registered?
- Or: Would an absentee ballot be best for me?
DEADLINES
- Presidential Preference Primary Election:
- Michigan State Primary Election:
- Michigan General Election:
“NAMI’s advocacy has helped shaped laws, increased funding and promoted research to address injustice facing people with mental health needs. NAMI members have an opportunity in the midterm and general elections to vote more mental health champions into office. From now until Election Day, reach out to candidates and help to raise awareness of mental health issues by sharing your stories and views. The goal in your talks is not to convert them, it’s to converse with them.
NAMI is a nonpartisan; nonprofit organization and we seek only to educate politicians. When speaking with a candidate, share a fact and let the person know how important mental health care is to you. Instead of asking yes/no questions, ask questions that give the candidate an opportunity to reveal their thoughts and share their vision for improving mental health care. Here are three policy ideas that can help you identify if a person is a Mental Health champion”. Where do they stand on the following three policies?
- Increasing the availability of mental health services and support.
- Promoting early intervention for mental illness.
- Ending the jailing of people with mental illness.
” You can reach out to candidates easily by visiting the League of Women Voters (LWV) website listed below. The LWV is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. By using the following link, you can find your local LWV in your part of Michigan. The next step is to click on “Candidate Forums’ to locate where and when candidates will be available for questions and answers.
Your participation in speaking to candidates will enable you to be an active advocate for mental health care in Michigan and continue the progress we have made for our loved ones.”
These are the links:
Oakland Area:http://www.lwvoa.org/
Troy Area: http://www.lwvtroyarea.org/
Dearborn-Dearborn Heights Area: https://lwvddh.org/
Detroit Area: http://www.lwvdetroit.org/
Macomb Area: https://www.facebook.com/LWVMacombCounty/
Northwest Wayne County: http://www.lwvnww.org/
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Advocacy – Improving the System
How can you advocate for mental illness?
- Become a member of an advocacy group like NAMI Metro.
- Volunteer some of your time
- Keep EDUCATED and up to date on mental illness
- Become a Stigma Buster
- Make donations to advocacy groups like NAMI Metro.
- Participate in mental illness events such as NAMI Walks
- Attend NAMI Metro General meetings to keep abreast of current issues
Write your legislator and tell him/her how you feel about mental health issues coming before the legislature.
Michigan Government Links: Connects you to your local government legislature where you will be able to find your representatives in the House and Senate in addition to bills that have been introduced and bills that are being introduced.
Michigan.gov – The Offical State of Michigan Website