10th Annual Mental Health Advocacy Day
Mental Health Advocacy Day 2025
Thank you to everyone who attended Mental Health Advocacy Day on Wednesday! Over 200 people joined the event. We heard remarks from state leaders, testimonies throughout the day, and powerful personal stories from individuals affected by mental illness. It was a truly impactful event, and we thank all who were involved. Next week, we will send out an email to everyone who registered containing important links and information that was shared during the event. If you attended and did not do so already, please complete our evaluation form.
Hope Starts Here – Prioritize, Invest, and Connect for Mental Wellness
Wednesday, January 29, 2025
8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
In Person at the Statehouse and Vermont Supreme Courthouse Auditorium
Join us for the 10th Annual Mental Health Advocacy Day on January 29th from 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. at the Statehouse and the Vermont Supreme Courthouse Auditorium. Hundreds of mental health advocates and over 55 co-sponsoring organizations and their network will be calling on Vermont leaders and legislators to support the mental health of Vermonters. Our key theme is “Hope Starts Here – Prioritize, Invest, and Connect for Mental Wellness”.
You can join the morning program either virtually or in-person at the Vermont Supreme Courthouse Auditorium from 9 am-12 pm. The agenda includes a welcome address from state leaders, a legislative panel discussion, advocacy awards, and advocates sharing their lived experience stories of recovery and hope. ASL Interpreters will be available.
In the afternoon, events will continue at the Statehouse where attendees will meet with legislators, provide testimony to committees, and be recognized by the House of Representatives with a Resolution. Mental Health Advocates will be at the Statehouse Card Room on January 29th, allowing for an opportunity to meet and greet legislators! Please contact Laurie Emerson if you would like to be a co-sponsor of the event at [email protected].
Directions to the Vermont Supreme Courthouse Auditorium (Room #110): Access Building through entrance on Governor Davis Avenue (right side of the Pavilion building). Please bring a photo ID with you to enter the building.
Agenda
- 8:00-9:00 am — Meet and Greet with Legislators (Statehouse Card Room)
- 8:00-9:00 am – Artwork and Photo Slideshow (VSC Auditorium)
- 9:00-9:15 am — Welcome and Introductions (VSC Auditorium)
- 9:15-10:00 am — State Leader Welcome (VSC Auditorium)
- Commissioner Emily Hawes, Department of Mental Health; Speaker of the House Jill Krowinski; and other state leaders
- Video Recording: US Senator Peter Welch and US Representative Becca Balint; US Senator Bernie Sanders (letter), Staffer addressing in person.
- 10:00-10:40 am — Legislative Panel Discussion
- Moderator: Emily Hawes, Commissioner, Department of Mental Health
- Panelists: Jane Kitchel (Retired Senator); Diane Lanpher (Retired Representative); Representative Brian Cina; Senator Martine Larocque Gulick
- 10:40-11:00 am — Mental Health Advocacy Day Awards
- Rising Star Award
- Advocacy of the Year Award
- Excellence in Leadership Award
- 11:00 am-12:00 pm — Sharing Stories
- 12:00 pm — Lunch (on your own) – meet with legislators (Statehouse cafeteria)
- 1:00 pm — Press Conference (Cedar Creek Room at the Statehouse)
- Afternoon — Resolution by House of Representatives (House Chamber)
- Throughout the day – Testimony at Key Legislative Committees
- Throughout the day – Card Room Exhibit Tables (near Cafeteria at Statehouse)
Artwork and Photo Slideshow
Thank you to everyone who submitted their artwork! As people arrive for Mental Health Advocacy Day at the Vermont Supreme Courthouse Auditorium, we will run a slideshow from 8-9 am of submitted artwork and photos from previous advocacy days.
Story Sharing
People will share their personal mental health story as part of Mental Health Advocacy Day. Stories will take place between 11:00 AM and 12:00 PM.
Attend Legislative Committee Testimony
Legislative testimony will be scheduled throughout the day for Mental Health Advocacy Day. Here is the schedule.
Press Conference
Join us at 1:00 p.m. for a Press Conference in the Cedar Creek Room at the Statehouse.
2025 Mental Health Advocacy Day Co-Sponsors:
NAMI Vermont ~ Vermont Association for Mental Health and Addiction Recovery (VAMHAR) ~ Vermont Care Partners (Vermont Council of Developmental and Mental Health Services) ~ Another Way ~ Bellcate School ~ Building Bright Futures ~ Cathedral Square ~ Center for Health and Learning ~ Champlain Community Services ~ Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity ~ Clara Martin Center ~ Counseling Service of Addison County ~ Disability Rights Vermont ~ Families First Inc. ~ Green Mountain Mobile Therapy ~ Green Mountain Support Services ~ Health Care and Rehabilitation Services ~ Housing and Homelessness Alliance of Vermont ~ Howard Center ~ InclusivityWorks, Inc. ~ Lamoille County Mental Health Services ~ Lincoln Street ~ Me2/Orchestra ~ Milton Family Community Center ~ National Association of Social Workers-VT ~ NFI Vermont, Inc. ~ Northeast Kingdom Human Services ~ Northwestern Counseling and Support Services ~ Recovery Partners of Vermont ~ Rutland County Pride ~ Rutland Mental Health Services ~ Sana at Stowe ~ Social Tinkering ~ Support and Services at Home ~ Team Two Vermont ~ The Family Place Parent Child Center ~ The University of Vermont Health Network ~ United Counseling Service of Bennington County, Inc. ~ United Way of Northwest Vermont ~ Upper Valley Services ~ Vermont Addiction Professionals Association ~ Vermont Association of Hospitals and Health Systems ~ Vermont Center for Independent Living ~ Vermont Collaborative for Practice Improvement and Innovation ~ Vermont Family Network ~ Vermont Federation of Families ~ Vermont Medical Society ~ Vermont Mental Health Counselors Association ~ Vermont NEA ~ Vermont Principals Association ~ Vermont Psychological Association ~ Vermont Psychiatric Association ~ Vermont State University Graduate Programs in Counseling ~ Voices for Vermont Children ~ Voices of Hope ~ Washington County Mental Health Services, Inc. ~ White River Junction VA Healthcare System
Hosted by:
