Why advocate? You are 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 systems fail to help those dealing with mental health conditions. NAMI Massachusetts relies on our grassroots network to create change at the state and local level. Your voice makes a difference.
About the Legislative Process
Learn how the legislative process works in Massachusetts
Learn about the legislative process
Massachusetts State House (2019) – photo by Lëa-Kim Châteauneuf is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Learn How to Advocate
You can make a change in your local community by being an advocate for mental health in Massachusetts.
Find Your Legislators
Contacting your elected official is a powerful action in ensuring you voice is heard. Policy change is one major way we can make a difference in the lives of people dealing with mental health symptoms and their families.
Affiliate Advocacy Representatives
NAMI Standards of Excellence for re-affiliation include a requirement that each affiliate nominate an Affiliate Advocacy Representative.
Learn more about volunteer affiliate Advocacy Representatives
Legislative Priorities
For each two-year legislative session, NAMI Massachusetts works with state-wide affiliates and advocacy partners to determine our legislative priorities for the upcoming session. This is a combination of consensus around specific concerns and opportunity for making change.
NAMI Mass Advocacy Day
Advocacy Day is when NAMI Mass members and supporters tell our legislators what we care about most! This year we will be focusing on Access to Care issues, Funding requests and Mental Health Issues in the Criminal Justice System.
Advocacy News & Alerts
Get the latest information about our advocacy e-alerts.