The National Mental Health Association reform efforts

For over five years, the National Mental Health Association (NMHA) and its affiliates have worked with coalitions of consumer, family and advocacy groups in 45 states and the District of Columbia to assist them in their policy efforts and train them to become more effective voices for change in the public and private mental health systems.

NMHA offers more than 20 trainings each year that emphasize, according to individual state and local affiliate needs, the following:

1. Coalition-Building,
2. Issue Knowledge and Strategy Development, and
3. Issue-Specific Advocacy Events

While Parity, Access to Medications, Medicaid and Appropriations, Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit remain among the top issues confronting affiliate, NMHA's healthcare reform efforts support an ever-growing field of concerns, including Employment, Involuntary Outpatient Commitment, Justice Issues, Olmstead Planning and School-Based Mental Health Services.

In addition, NMHA staff provide technical assistance that supports affiliate and other advocates' needs following training, and offers resources on a wide range of issues. Advocacy Resource Center Topics

Examples of technical assistance resources include:

• Analysis of Legislation
• Issue Fact Sheets and Talking Points
• Best Practices and Strategy Guidance Documents
• Model Legislation
• Connection to Peer MHAs for Strategy Consultation
• Updates on State Activity Nationwide for Selected Issues
• Affiliates-Specific Research and Advocacy Requests

To find out more about issues in healthcare reform, contact your local Mental Health Association or:

NMHA Advocacy Resource Center

Phone: 1-800-969-NMHA (6642) Option 6

Fax: 703-684-5968

Contact Us!