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Public policy impacts people with mental illness in many ways — from health care to housing to criminalization. Changes in policy can result in improved treatments, increased access to services and better outcomes for people with mental health conditions. NAMI believes that:
Read on to learn more about NAMI’s policy positions.
NAMI fights for policies to ensure people get the best possible care. This includes expanding access to health coverage and parity for mental health, promoting early intervention and care integration and ensuring that the right services are available at the right time.
NAMI fights for policies to ensure people in crisis get help, not handcuffs. This includes expanding access to crisis services, promoting best practices in de-escalation and advocating for other strategies that divert people with mental illness from justice involvement.
NAMI fights for policies that end discrimination and help people successfully engage in the community and focus on their mental health. This includes promoting access to education, employment, income supports, housing, food and transportation.
NAMI fights for policies that promote effective interventions and that end practices that cause or worsen mental health conditions. This includes advocating against the use of conversion therapy, solitary confinement and restraints and seclusion.