Implementing change can be a tedious task. While much planning, preparation, and hard work must be present for change to occur, much is to be gained from it.

Thousands of hours each year are spent educating policy makers on the issues affecting the citizens of Nebraska. Your voice is the single most powerful tool you have to help individuals with a mental illness. Whether advocating on behalf of yourself, another individual, or as part of a larger advocacy group, make your voice heard.

The state of Nebraska relies on each citizen’s individual duty in the carrying out of a successful government. As citizens, awareness and understanding of legislative issues as well as knowledge of resources available in addressing issues important to you is essential.

The lawmaking process begins with an idea. An idea originating from anyone: special interest groups, state agencies, government officials, concerned citizens, or even you.

Contact your local, state, and national representatives. Tell them that you support quality mental health care. Get involved today and let your voice be heard.

Click here for statewide advocacy organizations who invite you to join in their efforts to advocate for improved mental and behavioral health care.

If you are further interested in advocacy opportunities please consider tuning in to the following webinar:

Free Webinar on Systems Advocacy

In a presentation entitled “Systems Advocacy: What It Is and How to Do It,” Joseph Rogers, Executive Director of the National Mental Health Consumers’ Self-Help Clearinghouse, discusses grassroots organizing tactics and provides information about goal-setting, creating an advocacy plan, negotiation skills, and strategy development, including “do’s and don’ts.” The presentation also offers nuts-and-bolts information about effective advocacy letter-writing, phone calls to policy makers and their staffs, and how to handle face-to-face meetings.

Because the basis of systems advocacy is self-advocacy, a co-presenter who has been trained in self-advocacy skills offers information about how she has put these skills into practice in her own work and life.

Click here to access an archived copy of the webinar.