Policy Priorities

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:

  • All people with mental health conditions deserve accessible, affordable and comprehensive health care.
  • All people with mental health conditions deserve access to supports that promote wellness.
  • All people with mental health conditions who are incarcerated deserve access to quality mental health treatment.
  • Public policies and practices should promote greater awareness and early identification of mental health conditions.
  • Public policies should be guided by credible, evidence-based research.
  • Justice system responses to people with mental illness should be minimized while ensuring that any interactions preserve health, well-being and dignity. 
  • No one should be subject to practices that can cause or worsen mental health symptoms.

Read on to learn more about NAMI’s policy positions.

Improving Health

woman at doctor office smiling

​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.

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Responding to Crises

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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.

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Supporting Community Inclusion and Non-Discrimination

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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.

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Stopping Harmful Practices

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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.

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