CONSUMER ADVOCACY

Consumer Advocacy in the Mental Health world has several distinct components:

• Empowering mental health consumers to take charge of their lives
• Combating the stigmatization of mental illness and the mentally ill
• Promoting grass-roots political activism.

Mental health programs are the easiest targets of short-sighted political budget-cutters, yet the value of these programs goes beyond the provision of necessary human services.

We address the first two areas (empowerment and stigma-busting) with inspiring articles and stories of consumers taking charge and turning their lives around. We address the arena of political action by providing a list of national legislation targeting Mental Health programs and issues, along with links that make it easy to contact elected officials.

As this site grows, we hope to add listings of Mental Health legislation on a State-by-State basis so that you can contact your state representatives as well.

Political Action - Make your voice heard!

Empowerment – National

• National Mental Health Consumers’ Self-Help Clearing House
• National Coalition of Mental Health Consumer/Survivor Organizations
• National Alliance on Mental Health

Empowerment – State

• California Network of Mental Health Clients
• California Council of Community Mental Health Agencies

Empowerment – Local

• Association of Local Leaders for Community Mental Health
• Consumer Advocacy Coalition in Santa Barbara