NAMI Vote for Mental Health

11/2/2020

Your Vote Makes a Difference in
2020 — and Beyond
BY BRANDON GRAHAM
Senior Manager of Advocate Engagement at NAMI

By the end of Election Day 2020 on November 3, over 100 million people across the country are expected to have cast their ballots in federal, state and local elections. Every election is different for its own local reasons, but together, they have something in common: their impact on mental health.
Voting is a deeply personal decision.

NAMI is nonpartisan and doesn’t take positions on candidates or political parties — and we won’t ever tell you how to vote.

But to make a fair and equitable mental health system a reality, it all starts with casting a ballot and keeping mental health in mind when you vote for any candidate.

Why #Vote4MentalHealth?
It’s all connected.

Elected officials at all levels of government — from Congress to the statehouse to the local school board — make decisions that impact the availability of mental health services and supports in our communities.

It’s essential to recognize the role each official plays in getting people the right mental health care at the right time.

The important mental health decisions our elected officials make go beyond the obvious topics like access to community mental health services. That’s because mental health intersects with a variety of different areas that voters say are important to them.
For instance, many voters say jobs and the economy are their top issues when casting their ballots. But do they know that the unemployment rate is significantly higher among adults with mental illness?

For voters who care most about our children’s education, it might surprise them to learn that high school students with significant symptoms of depression are more than twice as likely to drop out.

Make a Plan to Vote

NAMI Helpline

Make a Plan to Vote
While you may understand why keeping mental health in mind matters, you can’t #Vote4MentalHealth if you don’t cast your ballot. Unfortunately, sometimes that can feel difficult or overwhelming. To help, NAMI has an online tool for you to find out what you need to know, all in one place.
Visit vote4mentalhealth.org for information about how to #Vote4MentalHealth in your state.
This tool includes information about your state’s options to vote early or by mail, any ID requirements, your voting rights, how to find your polling place and more.

Many states added or expanded their vote-by-mail and absentee ballot options this year. Visit our website to find up-to-date information about any changes. Whether you vote by mail, vote early or vote in person on Election Day, make a plan to vote in the safest and best way for you.

You can sign up for advocacy alerts at nami.org/takeaction, and we’ll let you know when you can #Act4MentalHealth on important advocacy issues.
Recent national events continue to highlight the need for strong mental health care in our country. Mental health can no longer be overlooked, especially while casting your ballot. Regardless of political party, mental health is front and center for voters, candidates and elected officials — right where it should be.

Build Relationships

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Build Relationships
The work doesn’t stop after Election Day.

When the results are in, it’s the perfect time for NAMI advocates to start building relationships with newly elected officials and check in with those who were re-elected.

Establishing trustworthy relationships early on could make a big difference for mental health services for years to come. The steps to build these strong relationships include:

1.Sending a welcome note to newly elected officials.

2.Introducing them to NAMI and the role NAMI plays in their community.

3.Offering to serve as a resource, both for their constituents who might be served by NAMI programs and for them and their staff on policy issues.

4.Continuing to engage by inviting them to NAMI events or signing up for your official’s newsletters.

Training & Support

NAMI Basics OnDemand is a free, six-session online education program
for parents, caregivers and other family who provide care for youth aged 22 or younger who are experiencing mental health symptoms.

NAMI Basics OnDemand is an adaptation of the in-person course offered in 43 states by NAMI affiliates.

Want to learn more about NAMI Basics?
Watch this brief video

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