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Advocacy Center
What is Advocacy
Advocacy is Important
Making Your Voice Heard
Legislative Process
DBSA
Legislative Action Center
There are millions of
Americans with depression and bipolar disorder. Think how easy it would
be to change things if they each took only 5 minutes out of their day to
make that phone call, write that letter – to take action.
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We can all find reasons not
to do advocacy work – “I won’t be listened to or I won’t make a
difference.”
This is a nation of more than 280 million people – and yes – sometimes
it can be hard to feel like you can make an impact. But keep in mind
that politics is about people. Every political decision at every level
is made by a person. One personal story and one powerful experience that
can change a person’s mind and heart.
Remember that few people take the time to contact their legislators.
That means your contact will have impact, and if you are silent, someone
else – perhaps an opponent – will be heard that much better.
Now that you have decided to make your voice heard, here are a few
tips to help you make sure your voice is heard:
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Remember, you are not
working alone! We as a national organization and network of
grassroots chapters can work together to change laws and
regulations. Positive changes in mental health policy can only
happen through the combined efforts of your organization with
National DBSA and other local DBSA chapters. Many legislators don’t
know much about us or our issues, by staying in contact with them,
we can change all that.
DID YOU KNOW?
Do you know who your legislators are? If you don’t know –
don’t be embarrassed. In a recent Gallup poll, only 6% of
the American public could correctly identify Dennis Hastert
as the Speaker of the House of Representatives – while 66%
knew that Regis Philbin was the host of “Who Wants to be a
Millionaire.” |
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Page created: May 12, 2005 |
Page last updated:
July 21, 2006 |
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