Mental health: Advocating for change

Click here to view a general explanation of Advocating for Change

Consumers, parents, community leaders, public health practitioners, and others are becoming increasingly involved in advocating for systemic changes in how mental health is addressed. 
 
Advocate for prevention and quality mental health services.  Services promoting mental well-being evolve from a commitment to fostering resilient communities in which children and adults can safely live, work, and play.

For people with mental illness, high-quality and well-coordinated treatment systems are critical. Advocacy is needed to raise these issues higher on public policy agendas. Advocacy might focus on increasing funding for prevention and treatment, enforcing the Americans with Disabilities Act, and protecting consumers' rights. 

Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law notes that while public spending for mental health care has declined, spending on mental health has grown dramatically in the criminal justice system, as growing numbers of people with mental illness enter these systems.  Once in these systems, the costs of treating these individuals must be added to the cost of arresting, prosecuting and jailing them--not to mention the costs of criminal behavior to society as a whole. 

The Bazelon Center advocates for laws that will bring greater state and local resources to improving mental health--so fewer mentally ill people wind up in the criminal justice system.  comprehensive system of recovery-oriented services and supports. 

Involve consumers, families, and community members in advocacy efforts. Coalitions of consumers, families, providers and community members can improve the mental health system by advocating for better service delivery and research. Consumers' needs and experiences should inform not only the development of programs and services but also public policies.

The Youth Leadership Academy on Mental Health Policy a joint project of several agencies including the California Adolescent Health Collaborative, trains young people from throughout California in policy development and includes youth voices in recommendations on mental health issues. The project also brings youth and their ideas to state policymakers to advocate for change.

The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill or NAMI is an organization of consumers, families, and friends of people with severe mental illnesses.  NAMI is dedicated to eradicating mental illness and to improving the quality of life of those affected by mental illness. Volunteers in more than one thousand local affiliates and fifty state organizations provide education and support, combat stigma, support increased funding for research, and advocate for adequate health insurance, housing, rehabilitation, and jobs for people with mental illnesses and their families.

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Before you give...  Advocacy aimed at influencing public policy is a challenging approach to health care issues, but can often lead to long-term impact.  It involves conducting research and analysis, forming coalitions and alliances, and creating media and other strategies to draw attention to an issue.  Advocacy also requires careful political analysis to identify potential allies, convincing arguments, and good opportunities for progress, while also clarifying possible objections to reform. 

Policy research and data collection are often the cornerstone of advocacy efforts.  Advocacy organizations can provide donors with helpful data and insight into your own community's health care issues.

Questions to consider before you give:

1. In the case of advocacy efforts, does the group soliciting funds have tax-exempt status? Will the grant conform to IRS rules regarding foundation support?
2. Does the group have a clear grasp of the issue, the context and possible solutions?
3. Does the group have the facts and other information necessary to advocate for a policy or opinion change?
4. Or will the group be using your support to conduct research and develop a case? 
5. Does the group have a strategy which seems likely to succeed in winning reforms?  Will it have sufficient allies and power?
6. Is the group involving individuals directly affected by the issue(s) in their advocacy or research plans? 
7. Will the effort help to organize, build skills and improve the conditions among those directly affected?
8. What specific outcomes do you believe will result from your contribution?
9. Does the group truly have the skills to organize, market, disseminate findings, speak or testify to policymakers? 
10. What is the group's timeline?  Is it realistic?
11. Having considered the other questions, what is the likelihood of success for the group? Will failure on a particular cause curse the entire venture or might the leadership skills and experience gained make empower the group for the next cause?
12. In addition to grant money, are there other ways you can assist the group in meeting their goals?

You may find some questions irrelevant or have a few questions of your own, not listed here. This list is not meant to be exhaustive. 

Try using the questions as a springboard for lively and respectful conversation between you and a potential grantee. Or as a way of discussing a grant proposal with your fellow trustees, your family or other board members.

Related Reading

Other Ways to Take Action in Mental health

• Developing new programs

• Organizing for change

• Strengthening community groups

• Tackling immediate needs