We need your support at Mental Health Advocacy Day. 39 co-sponsors will be advocating for mental health policies, and urging lawmakers to “Improve Funding to Ensure Access”. Please join us at the State House. The agenda includes activities that will be of interest for every mental health advocate and supporter. In addition to an advocacy training, opportunities to interact with legislators and hear shared stories of lived experience.
TAKE ACTION NOW:
- Call or email your legislator to schedule time to meet with them on the 17th!
- Meet one-on-one or in groups with other advocates to discuss topics.
- Click here to find your legislator.
- Share this information with your network – we need a strong presence at the State House MAKE MENTAL HEALTH A PRIORITY – LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD!
- Click below to download the:
- Sign up to Share Your Story or email [email protected].
Who Should Attend: Mental health advocates, peers, family members, professionals, providers, professionals, community members and mental health stakeholders.
7:30-10 A.M. ~ REGISTRATION (Room 11 – hearing room on first floor directly beneath the House Chamber):
- Upon arriving, visit us in Room 11 to register, pick up the agenda, talking points, map of State House rooms, and other relevant information.
- Registration is available from 7:30-10 a.m.
- Pick up a sticker to wear and show your support of Mental Health Advocacy Day.
- Depending on how you early you arrive, you may be able to meet with your legislator before committee meetings begin at or around (8:30 A.M.)
8:30-10:00 A.M. ~ COMMITTEE TESTIMONY:
Testimonials for committees are being planned in advance. Everyone is welcome to sit in on the committee sessions. Space is limited – so arrive early. Some testimonials may be scheduled in the afternoon. The committee testimony schedule will be available next week. Contact us, if you are interested in testifying.
9:00-10:00 A.M. ~ ADVOCACY TRAINING:
Learn from Peter Mallary and Ken Libertoff on how to share your story and advocate for an improved mental health system of care with legislators. This training will provide some skills to use for the event day, and beyond!
10:00 A.M. ~ WELCOME SESSION KICKOFF (Room 11):
State Leaders will share their insights on the “State of Mental Health in Vermont”. Room 11 is the large meeting room off the main hallway on the first floor of the State House near the coat room. Everyone should attend this event. Confirmed: Governor Shumlin, Secretary Hal Cohen, Commissioner Frank Reed, Speaker of the House Shap Smith, and Senator John Campbell.
Additionally, awards will be presented.
11:00 A.M. ~ SHARING OUR STORIES (Room 11):
Sign up or contact us if you are interested in sharing your story of recovery (3-5 minutes).
NOON ~ CAFETERIA: Meet with your legislator for lunch or cupcakes in the cafeteria to advocate for increased funding to ensure mental health services are accessible in the community and for sensible mental health care policy.
DIRECTIONS/ ~ PARKING:
- Capitol Plaza parking lot (metered).
- Off street parking (metered on most streets near the Statehouse, but some free street parking can be found further away)
- Department of Labor parking lot on Green Mountain Drive (free) – second left from interstate, past first traffic light.
- Capitol Shuttle runs every 20 minutes from 7:20 am – 5:20 pm
- Call 223-7287 or go to https://tinyurl.com/cjx2un5 for more info
CAR POOLING: We encourage car pooling. Contact your co-sponsoring organization who may be able to coordinate rides from your area.
QUESTIONS: Contact Laurie Emerson at NAMI Vermont 800-639-8480 x101 or email [email protected]
Co-Sponsored by: Alyssum ~ Another Way ~ Champlain Community Services ~ Clara Martin Center (CMC) ~ Counseling Service of Addison County (CSAC) ~ Disability Rights Vermont ~ Families First Vermont ~ Green Mountain Support Services ~ Health Care and Rehabilitation Services (HCRS) ~ HowardCenter for Human Services (HCHS) ~ Lamoille County Mental Health Services, Inc. (LCMHS) ~ Lincoln Street ~ Me2/Orchestra ~ National Alliance on Mental Illness of Vermont (NAMI Vermont) ~ National Association of Social Workers of Vermont ~ National Eating Disorder Association ~ NFI Vermont Inc. ~ Northeast Kingdom Human Services (NKHS) ~ Northwestern Counseling and Support Services (NCSS) ~ Pathways Vermont ~ Rutland Mental Health Services (RMHS) ~ SNHU Graduate Program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling ~ Soteria House ~ Spring Lake Ranch ~ The Wellness Co-op ~ United Counseling Service of Bennington County, Inc. (UCS) ~ Upper Valley Services ~ Vermont Affordable Housing Coalition ~ Vermont Association for Mental Health Addiction and Recovery (VAMHAR) ~ Vermont Care Partners ~ Vermont Center for Independent Living ~ Vermont Cooperative for Practice Improvement and Innovation ~ Vermont Department of Mental Health ~ Vermont Family Network ~ Vermont Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health ~ Vermont Mental Health Counselors Association ~ Vermont Psychological Association ~ Vermont Suicide Prevention Coalition ~ Washington County Mental Health Services, Inc. (WCMHS) ~ Wellness Workforce Coalition
