Policy & Advocacy

What is Advocacy?

Advocacy is a way to support, influence and create change in your community or state by reaching out to local officials, raising awareness and educating people on areas that need to be improved within the mental health system. Together, we can build a comprehensive system of behavioral health care in our state.

How to Become An Advocate

NAMI Washington has a robust Public Policy program, which helps bring Washington State’s alliance of affiliates (including NAMI Seattle) together on key State-level policy and legislative priorities.  

Visit NAMI Washington’s Policy & Advocacy page for details, including:

  • Legislative priorities, updated for every session
  • Annual NAMI Lobby Day in Olympia
  • Downloadable advocacy materials
  • Coalition actions and action notifications
  • Bill tracking
  • NAMI Smarts trainings (learn to use your voice for mental health advocacy!)

DOWNLOAD NAMI SEATTLE'S

Advocacy Toolkit PDF

Advocacy is a way to support, influence and create change in your community or state by reaching out to local officials, raising awareness and educating people on areas that need to be improved within the mental health system.
The resources in our toolkit include basic information on Washington States legislative system, tips for reaching out to officials and NAMIs legislative goals.

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