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Our Advocacy Work
Improving the lives of families and individuals in NYC affected by mental illness requires our government to be champions for legislation that impacts the mental health system.
We believe that’s worth fighting for.
When we bring the perspective of the family AND the person living with mental illness directly to policymakers, we educate elected officials to prioritize policy decisions that ensure quality services and enhance recovery for the mental health community in New York.
Become an Advocacy Ambassador
Join the fight for better mental health services in NYC and share your story with elected officials! The NAMI-NYC Advocacy Ambassador program provides families and individuals impacted by mental illness with the skills and training needed to meet with elected officials and create change in their communities.
NAMI-NYC Policy Priorities
Decriminalizing Mental Illness
NAMI-NYC is dedicated to working with families and communities to enact policies that divert people living with a mental illness from the criminal legal system and towards recovery.
Improving Quality and Access to Healthcare and Housing
NAMI-NYC is firmly committed to enacting policies that increase access to stable housing and mental healthcare and improve the quality of those services.
Creating Robust Education and Support Systems
NAMI-NYC supports integrating mental health education into our educational system so we can increase understanding about mental illness and give students and educators the tools needed to support themselves and their peers with mental health challenges.
Real stories from real people make real change.
NAMI-NYC is dedicated to making sure elected officials and other decision makers hear directly from families and individuals impacted by mental illness.
We are collecting stories of people’s experiences visiting the psych ER or being admitted into psychiatric hospitals around NYC.