MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD!!!
Join advocates from throughout New York State as we come together to make our voices heard during one of the most important legislative sessions in shaping the future delivery of mental health services.
NAMI-NYS's annual legislative conference will provide attendees with information on how the systems which deliver mental health services are changing through the introduction of health homes, managed care, the reduction of state hospital beds and the expansion of community-based services.
The conference will examine these changes and explain how we need to adapt our advocacy voice to most effectively project it in this new landscape.
The items that comprise 2015 NAMI-NYS Legislative Action Agenda demonstrate NAMI-NYS belief that the best and most appropriate services are available to support all forms of recovery from mental illness and maximize mental health. Treatment options must be obtainable for people whose recovery would be best advanced in community settings as well as people with the most severe forms of psychiatric disorders who need the type of all-encompassing care that only a hospital can provide.
NAMI-NYS will be on the Empire State Concourse (by the entrance to the Legislative Office Building) beginning at 9am that day to distribute packets for legislative visits. NAMI-NYS staffmembers will be available throughout the morning to help you review the Action Agenda and role-play with you before your visits.
After learning about the 2015 NAMI-NYS Action Agenda attendees will visit their legislators.
A complimentary buffet lunch will be provided during the formal program taking place between noon and 2pm.
We need as many grass-roots advocates as possible to tell our elected officials that we will not allow people living with mental illness to receive anything less than the most comprehensive services to advance their recovery.
(click on the blue titles for more information)
Safe and affordable housing with the availability of support services is the cornerstone of successful recovery from mental health disorders within the community setting. Access to decent, safe, and affordable housing remains a tremendous challenge for adults with serious mental illnesses. It is important that appropriate services and suppports are also provided so that our loved ones have the best chance possible to live in a residence that provides them with dignity and as much independence as possible.
Continued Reinvestment in Community Services
Recognizing the need of some persons with serious mental illness for intensive inpatient and outpatient treatment, NAMI-NYS calls for the funds saved from the reduction of psychiatric inpatient beds to be reinvested in community-based services. NAMI-NYS wants to see a dollar-for-dollar reinvestment from these savings go to create community support services that are aligned with our belief that all publicly funded community service providers must offer practices and services that have proven effective results.
Improving the Criminal Justice – Mental Illness Interface in NYS
NAMI-NYS wants to see improvements and expansions to several facets of the criminal justice system to help ensure the best outcomes for people living with a mental illness who enter or exit the system. NAMI-NYS is calling for the following measures to be enacted; 1-Expansion of Crisis Intervention Teams; 2-Expanded Mental Health Courts and; 3-The elimination of Long Term Solitary Confinement.
Mental Health Education in Schools
Education, early intervention and working on prevention are keys to minimizing common mental health issues that are common in adolescents and hopefully, eradicating the long-term disabilities caused by mental illness. It is vital that New York’s education system does a better job of creating a true comprehension of psychiatric disorders and mental health issues. Proper mental health is crucial to overall wellbeing, which is why it is necessary that mental health is incorporated into existing health education curriculums. Administrators, teachers and students must be given the tools to identify the potential warning signs of mental health disorders which are prevalent in children and adolescents, as well demonstrate the harmful and potential long-term mental health effects of body image issues, eating disorders, substance abuse and bullying.
Mental Health Services for Veterans and the Military Community
Supporting those who have served our country should be a top priority. We call on the Legislature and the Governor to assist veterans on all issues, but specifically those relating to mental health; our veterans deserve nothing less. Returning combat veterans are experiencing very high rates of serious mental illness, suicide, addiction, homelessness and incarceration related to posttraumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury. More must be done in New York to provide services to America's returning heroes of combat.
Sustained Support of NYS Research Institutions
We are fortunate to have two of the world's top leading psychiatric research institutes operating in our state; NYS Psychiatric Institute and Nathan Kline Institute. It is crucial that New York State sustains funding to these institutes who are not only engaged in cutting-edge research, but also provide jobs to hundreds of New Yorkers and prestige to the State of New York. RESEARCH IS OUR HOPE FOR THE FUTURE.
Formal Lunch Program Noon-2:00 Featuring:
- Anne Sullivan, MD, Commissioner, New York State Office of Mental Health
- Presentation of award to Governor Andrew Cuomo thanking him for signing The Prisoners Mental Health Discharge and Planning Act into law.
- Presentation of Legislative Champion Awards to Assemblyman Daniel O'Donnell and Senator Catharine Young thanking them for their sponsorship of the newly enacted law The Prisoners Mental Health Discharge and Planning Act.
- Addresses by legislative leaders and members of the NYS Senate and Assembly Mental Health Committees.
- Presentations on Housing and Criminal Justice Issues.
PLEASE DO NOT SCHEDULE LEGISLATIVE VISITS DURING THE LUNCH PROGRAM
SCHEDULE YOUR LEGISLATIVE VISITS TODAY!
NAMI-NYS CAN NOT Schedule Legislative Meetings For You and We Ask That You Schedule Your Meetings Before Registering...Thank You!
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