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On this page:
NAMI-NoVA and Advocacy
Ways to become involved
Local information:
Alexandria, City of
Arlington County
Fairfax County
Falls Church, City of
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NAMI-NoVA and Advocacy
NAMI Northern Virginia supports advocacy in the local community through our programs of support and education. These programs are in part designed to reduce stigma and to promote opportunities for individuals to live fully in the community. In addition, critical issues arise regularly within local, State, and Federal governments concerning budget and policy matters that greatly effect the well being of individuals and their families.
We encourage all persons interested in mental health to stay informed about budget and policy matters. In addition to articles available in newspapers and periodicals, NAMI Virginia and NAMI Northern Virginia regularly send out emails and newsletters that describe current issues and background information about them. Your letters, emails, and other contacts with your Congressional representatives, Delegates, Senators, Supervisors and others help them understand the effects of their decisions on individuals with mental illness.
On occasion, NAMI Virginia and NAMI Northern Virginia may be asked to take a specific policy position on a given issue. Some of the positions may reflect broad consensus within our membership, for example, avoiding the reduction of hospital beds in the area that would reduce treatment options. In such cases, the NAMI Northern Virginia may adopt a policy position and present that position to our governmental officials.
Other issues may be more complex, such as the benefits or effectiveness of certain treatment modalities. In such cases, NAMI Northern Virginia believes that it has a role in keeping the membership informed about the issues, for example through its Speakers meetings, but may decline to take a position on that particular issue. It is important, of course, that diverse views are respected and that everyone involved in these discussions understand that we are all working toward the same goal: improved quality of life and recovery for ourselves and our loved ones.
Ways to become involved:
1. Learn about the issues through:
2. Write your representatives (Look up my Legislator)
3. Become a Stigma Buster
4. Volunteer with NAMI-NoVA to help raise awareness and reduce stigma
Local information:
ALEXANDRIA, City of
ARLINGTON COUNTY
FAIRFAX COUNTY (and included regions: Fairfax City, Town of Vienna, Town of Herndon)
FALLS CHURCH, City of
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Northern Virginia
Advocacy