NAMI Calls for Day of Action; APA Urges Members to 'Engage' Their Representatives

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is asking its members to contact members of Congress today as part of the organization’s National Day of Action.” Members are visiting their representatives and senators or emailing and calling them to advocate for legislation supporting people with mental illness and their families.

The event is part of NAMI’s Annual Convention now taking place in Washington, D.C. Yesterday, NAMI members joined NAMI’s policy team for a briefing on legislative issues. This morning, former U. S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy, former U. S. Sen. Gordon Smith, and NAMI’s executive director, Mary Giliberti, delivered a rallying call to take NAMI’s message to Capitol Hill.

APA members can be part of a similar effort by participating in "Engage 2014," APA’s recently launched campaign to energize grassroots support for legislation to benefit people with mental illness. From now until Election Day in November, APA’s Department of Government Relations will be operating a campaign to encourage members to advocate on behalf of the mental health community and people with mental illness. Many members of the House and Senate are vigilant about tracking constituents' views and incorporating those views into their decision-making, so hearing from constituents can have a large impact on their work. By taking advantage of this opportunity to educate lawmakers and raising awareness about policy issues affecting mental illness and its treatment, the APA campaign is increasing the chances that the voices of psychiatrists will be heard.

Information about Engage 2014 is posted on the APA website here.

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