Legislative Advocacy in 3 Simple Steps

You can make a change in your local community by being an advocate for mental health awareness in Massachusetts. Here are a few suggestions for how you can work with your community. Policy change is one major way we can make a difference in the lives of people diagnosed with mental health conditions and their families.

Hand writing Advocacy with blue marker on transparent wipe board.

Be Aware

STEP 1: Knowing who your state legislators are and how to contact them is the first step in being an advocate for mental health.

Be Present

STEP 2: Attending local community events such as town halls and being available to serve is the next step in being an advocate for mental health.

Be Connected

STEP 3: Staying connected with new legislators and proposed legislation is the final step in being an advocate for mental health.
What is the Legislative Process?

How Bills become Laws

Learn about the State House process and where advocates can influence the outcome

Our Advocacy Process

Decide Advocacy Priorities

Working with our affiliates, we look for opportunities for change to establish annual Advocacy priorities.  Learn how to run a “Dream Big Together” activity (opens in a new window) in your affiliate to share your concerns.

Go to the State House

NAMI Massachusetts hosts an annual Advocacy Day in April to spotlight these priorities

Connect with NAMI Advocates

NAMI Massachusetts coordinates advocacy efforts at the affiliate level and regularly updates members on advocacy opportunities via our Advocacy Newsletter. These include opportunities to contact legislators about co-sponsorship and testimony.

Follow through

NAMI Massachusetts continues to work on issues as they move through the legislative process. Sign up for our Advocacy Newsletter to know about opportunities to

  • Request co-sponsorship
  • Connect with committee members
  • Provide oral or written testimony at hearings
  • Request support through your legislator’s vote
  • Request support of budget asks and amendments

How to find your legislator

Learn about your legislator

Detailed instructions on how to use the Massachusetts Legislature site to learn about your legislator.

Senate Members

Find a listing of all senate members which includes their contact information, district, legislative bills introduced (sponsored and cosponsored), committees.

House Members

Find a listing of all house members which includes their contact information, district, legislative bills introduced (sponsored and cosponsored), committees.

How to find and follow a specific bill

Mental Health Bills

Find a listing of all recent mental health bills including bill number, presenter, cosponsors, district/address, and bill summary along with a listing of similar bills.

All Bills

Find a listing of all legislative bills including bill number, senate member filed, status, docket history, petitioners and result summary along with a listing of similar bills.

How to find and follow hearings

Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery Committee

Find a listing of all hearings and events including date, time, location, status with the ability to sort by branch and/or hearings, sessions or events.

Health Care Financing Committee

Find a listing of all committees broken into groups according to Senate, House or Joint committees.

Ways/Means Committee

Find a listing of all committees broken into groups according to Senate, House or Joint committees.

Additional Resources
  • State House 101 slides (pdf – opens in a new window)
  • State House 101 webinar (opens in a new window)
  • Training (courtesy of NASW) on providing testimony at a hearing (opens in a new window)
  • Dream Big Together slides (pdf – opens in a new window)
  • Dream Big Together webinar (opens in a new window)