NAMI MA Advocacy Days 2025
Advocate for Change
Advocacy Days are when hundreds of NAMI Massachusetts supporters come together to raise our voices in support of mental health. Join us for a three day advocacy event April 1-3 dedicated to mental health policy. Through virtual gatherings we’ll explore mental health topics, discover ways to stay engaged, and learn how to effectively advocate for policy change with your elected officials. NAMI MA Advocacy Days are the opportunity to offer our legislators a local view of our mental health system and highlight efforts that could make positive change.
You can customize your involvement over the three day program and don’t have to participate in all events to be a successful advocate. We’ll begin on April 1 with a NAMI Massachusetts Impact Summit and a separate presentation by a speaker who will show you how to stay engaged in mental health advocacy. Those presentations will be recorded and available on the NAMI MA website after the event.
Day two focuses on NAMI Smarts for Advocacy training in the morning, where you'll learn how to share your story to support important legislation. The event concludes with the opportunity, via pre-scheduled Zoom meetings, to directly advocate to your legislators. There will be one meeting with the office of your State Senator and one with your State Representative in the afternoon of April 3rd. NAMI MA will provide talking points and materials for those conversations.
In coming weeks the NAMI MA Advocacy team will identify priority legislative bills and offer specific direction for the state budget.
Why Me?
Why advocate? You’re an expert. You know more about the challenges of navigating the mental health system than most legislators and probably most of your friends, family, and neighbors. Your story will help others understand the ways in which our mental health system could better serve those living with mental health conditions. The rule of thumb at the Massachusetts State House is that every advocate who speaks up represents at least 350 others in their community. You could be the one. Your voice makes a difference!
The full agenda details are posted here: namimass.org/advocacy-day/. Click the button below to register to participate. Registration extended to March 21.
Contacting your Legislators
Your legislators are standing by waiting for you to express your opinion. Listening to constituents is a huge part of their job, and their offices are set up to absorb input. It is completely appropriate for you to let them know your concern and how it affects you and your family.
You can find the contact information for your State Representative and State Senator on the Massachusetts legislature’s website: malegislature.gov/. Select the “Legislators” tab along the white ribbon at the top of the page. Then choose “Find your Legislators” and enter your address.