Join NAMI-NYS grassroots advocates from around the state as we come together to tell the New York State Legislature how we cannot recover and move forward from the events of the past year without addressing mental health and saving our mental health system.

COVID-19 and social distancing practices have increased demand for mental health and substance use services. The ramifications of COVID-19 are also wreaking havoc on our mental health system and those services that are desperately needed are now endangered.

Mental health and substance use services in both the community and hospital settings are now more vulnerable than ever before and many life-saving programs may soon close their doors for good. This is why the voice of NAMI-NYS advocates is needed for than ever before. 

As with most things of late, our legislative advocacy efforts will be a bit different, but no less impactful in 2021. Instead of having our traditional Legislative Advocacy Day, this year, we will be holding regional Legislative Action Weeks.

• Week 1 Date: January 25-29 Region: Long Island/Queens               

NAMI Affiliates to Engage: Queens/Nassau. Huntington, \

• Week 2 Date: February 1-5 Region: Central NY                             

NAMI Affiliates to Engage: Syracuse, Finger Lakes, Cayuga, Delaware/Otsego

• Week 3 Date: February 8-12 Region: Lower Hudson Valley            

NAMI Affiliates to Engage: Westchester, Putnam and Rockland

• Week 4 Date: February 22-26 Region: Mid and Upper Hudson Valley                                                          

NAMI Affiliates to Engage: Mid-Hudson, Sullivan, Columbia, Capital Region, Schenectady, Saratoga, Delaware/Otsego

• Week 5 Date: March1-5 Region:New York City                                    NAMI Affiliates to Engage: NYC-Metro, Staten Island (possibly Westchester for some Bronx legislators who cover both),

• Week 6 Date: March 8-12 Region: Western NY                               

NAMI Affiliates to Engage: Buffalo, Rochester

Once you register you'll be placed in a team. NAMI-NYS or your team leader will schedule the meetings and you will be emailed a schedule of meetings for your region. If you don't know your legislators, that's ok, we can figure it out using the address provided in the registration. You will also find information below on how to make successful meetings. Finally, we will be announcing a series of Zoom meetings that will help participants plan for their legislative meetings.