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Advocacy

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Your Voice Matters

By using our stories and using our voices, we can make a change for mental health in Vermont. NAMI Vermont’s advocacy efforts help to promote recovery and build better lives for individuals and families affected by mental illness. 

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NAMI Vermont Advocacy

Speak Up, Be Heard

NAMI Vermont strongly embraces the principles of recovery and believes that all mental health and related services and supports should be provided with the goal of helping individuals achieve recovery and resiliency in their lives. We are a non-partisan organization that supports, to the fullest extent possible, solidarity with other mental health advocacy communities to effect positive changes in societal attitudes, legislation, education, and community and organizational responsiveness. Our advocates have lived experience. 

We recognize that each individual experiences mental illness and recovery differently. We support treatment and supportive services that address each need. Private or community services, medication, peer support, housing, education, employment and other supports can all contribute to recovery. NAMI Vermont advocates to ensure that people who are not experiencing recovery, but may cope with hardships such as homelessness, substance abuse and incarceration, receive every support possible to put them on the path to recovery.

We advocate in many ways:

  • We maintain a strong presence at the Vermont Legislature, advocating and supporting issues and policies that relate to our priorities and are important to individuals with mental illness and their families.
  • We are active on work groups and committees that address issues related to mental illness.
  • We fight stigma and discrimination by sharing information and educating individuals, families, professionals, leaders, the media, and the public about mental illness.
  • We empower individuals and families to advocate for themselves through our educational opportunities and resources that we provide.
  • We provide training for individuals to advance our mission.
  • We build partnerships with the community.

2025 NAMI Vermont Advocacy Platform

To view the NAMI Vermont Expanded Advocacy Platform, CLICK HERE.

Advocacy Goal: Youth and adults living with mental illness or a mental health condition receive the right care at the right time and in the right place to experience lives of resiliency, recovery, and inclusion.

  • Build community awareness and eliminate stigma and discrimination.
  • Increase mental health funding.
  • Ensure availability of effective mental health services.
  • Ensure the social determinants of health are met.
  • Ensure safe and respectful crisis intervention.
  • Promote appropriate outcomes where the criminal justice system and mental health issues intersect.
  • Promote safety, training, and quality standards.
  • Promote and collaborate on suicide prevention initiatives.
  • Ensure the integration and parity of mental health, substance use, and primary care services.

Mental Health Advocacy Day

Click here for more information about Mental Health Advocacy Day 2025
Watch Mental Health Advocacy Day 2024 Recording

Raise Your Voices Together for Mental Health

Every year, advocates join together to raise their voices in support of mental health. Mental Health Advocacy Day is held every winter at the Statehouse. The morning is filled with welcome addresses from state leaders, a panel discussion, special awards, and stories of hope and recovery. There are also opportunities to provide testimony at key legislative committees.

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Become an Advocate

We believe that stigma about mental illness will only be eradicated through consistent, effective outreach and improved public awareness that spotlights individual successes and positive outcomes. We understand that stigma discourages individuals from getting help and remains a key barrier to winning public support to improve our mental health system of care. We believe advocacy for a better system of mental health care is more effective when individuals living with mental illness, family members, and providers work together. There is no limit to what we can accomplish when we work Together for Mental Health!

We encourage providers, government agencies, and legislative representatives to listen to the voices of family members and peers when considering funding decisions related to programs/services that support peers and families living with mental illness or a mental health condition in Vermont.

For more information on our advocacy efforts, contact us at (802) 876-7949 x101 or email [email protected].

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Legislative Advocacy Training

December 15, 2024:  NAMI Smarts, Modules 1, 2, & 3 (1:00-5:00 PM)

Register for the NAMI Smarts Training

Help Make a Positive Change in Mental Health Services

Grassroots advocacy is simple. You don’t have to know about policies or politics. It’s about using your voice and sharing your story to influence policymakers and make a difference. Turn your passion and lived experience into a positive voice for mental health. 

NAMI Smarts is a hands-on advocacy training to help you find your voice and build a connection. This training is a series of workshops/modules to help develop the following skills:

  • Telling a compelling story that is inspiring and makes an “ask” in 90 seconds
  • Writing an effective email, making an elevator speech, and making an impactful phone call
  • Orchestrating a successful meeting with an elected official

The unique step-by-step, skill-building design of NAMI Smarts is effective with a wide range of participants, including those who are new to advocacy as well as individuals with years of experience. Register by clicking the link above.

Be Heard, Get Involved

Being an advocate for mental health can make a difference in your community and in the state. Policy change is a major way to make a difference in the lives of individuals affected by mental illness and their families. It just takes three steps.

Be Aware: Know your state legislators and how to contact them. This is the first step to being an advocate for mental health.

Be Present: Attend local community events such as town halls. Be available to serve. 

Be Connected: Stay connected with legislators and proposed legislation. Learn how to share your story effectively.

Here are some resources to help you become an advocate:

If you are interested in learning more about advocacy work, please contact us at (802) 876-7949 x101 or email [email protected].

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