Become an Advocate
As an advocate, you will be capable of making a positive change to yourself, another person, and the community as a whole.
A hands-on advocacy training program to help people affected by mental illness transform their lived experience into passionate and skillful advocacy.
Learn how to transform your lived experience into a powerful 90-second pitch to influence positive change in our community. Discuss why mental health advocacy is so important and write out your own story in an easy seven-step guided process. When you leave, you’ll be ready to change the world.
This program is offered at no cost to all participants.
This program is offered with limited availability and is hosted in partnership with NAMI Wisconsin.
Next training:
June 1, 2024
10:30 am - 3:00 pm
Racine Public Library
75 7th St, Racine, WI 53403
This half-day workshop will provide the complete 3-part training:
Module 1: Telling Your Story
This workshop will help you tell a compelling story that makes an “ask” in 90 seconds. We’ll talk about why advocacy for mental health care is so important and the power your story has to influence others. Then, we’ll guide you through writing your own powerful story in seven short steps. When you leave this training, our goal is that you take with you a version of your story that you can use to raise awareness!
Module 2: Contacting Your Policymaker
This workshop will give you skills to make an impact with policymakers by email, phone, social media, and in town halls and other community events. Our goal is that you will leave this training with the confidence and ability to quickly create powerful and personalized messages that influence policymakers.
Module 3: Meeting Your Policymaker
This workshop will give you skills to have an effective meeting with an elected official. We’ll walk you through some strategies to make your meetings more successful and give you a chance to practice with others in delivering an in-person message that will move policymakers to act on our priorities.
If you are interested in future NAMISmarts training opportunities, please email us at info@namiracine.org
Why is Advocacy Important?
Advocacy allows legislators to hear directly from their constituents about the needs of their communities and to learn more about the issues that are important to them. Hearing from those directly affected by mental illness is a crucial component of NAMI Racine County's advocacy efforts and has brought about significant changes to the Racine County mental health system over the years.
Advocacy Issues
Youth deserve to have supportive and safe spaces in which to raise
their voices on issues and policies affecting their mental health.
Jails and prisons hold disproportionate numbers of people with mental
illness. We need to ensure there are jail diversion programs in place.
The lack of safe and affordable housing is one of the most powerful barriers
to recovery. When this basic need isn’t met, people cycle in and out of homelessness, jails, shelters, and hospitals.
Supported employment is an important part of recovery and every person
who wants to work can as long as they receive the right services and support.
Without access to reliable transportation, people with mental illness are
denied the ability to lead fulfilling life.
Ways to Advocate
Join the NAMI Racine County Advocacy Committee.
Share Your Story and ensure your voice is heard.
Call or write your legislators to let them know about the issue.
Raise awareness about the issue through a community event.
Start a dialogue about the issue with friends, family, or co-workers.
Post on social media about the issue.
Host or attend a public forum.
Sign up for action alerts.