Election Day is next Tuesday, November 8. From health care to the economy to criminal justice and more, mental health touches many of the issues that you might care about the most. Whenever you cast your ballot, you #Vote4MentalHealth, whether you realize it or not.
How do elected officials impact mental health in our communities?
- Federal officials, including members of Congress and the executive branch, can set policy and provide funds for services such as Medicare, Medicaid, and the VA, housing programs and criminal justice initiatives; support mental health research; and appoint judges and key federal agency officials.
- State officials, including legislators, governors, judges, and insurance commissioners, can appoint key state agency positions, such as the head of the Dept. of Mental Health; set policy and provide funds for services such as psychiatric hospitals, crisis care and housing; and set state Medicaid plan benefits and eligibility.
- Local officials, including mayors, councilmembers, judges, and elected sheriffs, can set policy for local mental health services and supports and provide funds for those services, such as mobile crisis services, Supported Housing, peer supports, ACT and CIT teams, and mental health treatment courts.
Whatever your political party or ideology, it is crucial to the future of mental health treatment to vote for candidates and policies that can improve the lives of those suffering from mental illness.
You can visit the NAMI site Vote4MentalHealth.org for a wealth of information on important upcoming issues, how to engage candidates on mental health issues, voter registration and instructions, and more.
Take the pledge today to #Vote4MentalHealth!
