Community Connections, Spring 2002
The
Mental Health Association Announces On-Line Advocacy
The
Mental Health Association in New York State, Inc. (MHANYS) has unveiled
two new advocacy pieces that will help make the case for improved mental
health services heard even better. Driving cutting-edge computer technology
through their web site, www.mhanys.org, the organization has created two
programs that will allow individuals to directly contact their state legislator's
and make their case.
"Advocacy Now - Contact your Legislator's" lets people
sign on and send messages regarding current issues to their state legislators'
offices. Hoping to demonstrate broader commitment and support for the
major issues facing mental health care, MHANYS will focus on issues found
in their legislative program. The content of the message will change regularly,
focusing on new issues throughout the legislative session. Messages have
addressed extension of Reinvestment, Cost of Living Adjustments for direct
care workers, and Parity.
If you log on today, you'll be able to send a message to your Senator,
urging them to pass the bill that will eliminate discrimination based
on mental illness or chemical dependency in health insurance (also known
as "Parity").
Another new advocacy item is "Real People, Real Stories."
It is a first of its kind communications tool that will allow people living
with mental illnesses to share their recovery efforts, successes, failures
and system gaps they have encountered directly with the elected officials
who serve them. MHANYS intends to use first hand experience to "build
positive images of recovery". "Real People, Real Stories"
is funded with an unrestricted grant from Eli Lilly & Co.
Joseph A. Glazer, Esq., President/CEO of MHANYS, believes that these new
communications tools will enhance every aspect of mental health advocacy.
"Elected officials need to know from the people who vote for them
what works, what doesn't and what the obstacles are. They need to know
that our issues enjoy broad support among their constituents. We can now
use 21st century tools to convey the message."
posted
4/9/02
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