State Advocacy Networks Make Your Voice Heard
 In 2007, Mental Health America
embarked on a major initiative
to develop an online advocacy
community to raise awareness of
mental health issues and increase
participation in federal and state
advocacy campaigns. As a result,
Mental Health America’s Advocacy
Network has become a powerful
voice for change, with the network
representing thousands of
individuals nationwide who take an active role in improving
America’s mental health policy. One of the missions of this
initiative is to engage this growing movement of advocates to
speak out on equal access to care, federal funding and treatment
and prevention.
Mental Health America contracted with Convio, a national
leader in online grassroots advocacy, to provide the organization
with the online tools to encourage, manage and measure
the grassroots movement.
As part of MHA’s contract with Convio, state affiliates may
also host individual campaign sites, called State Advocacy
Networks (SANS), to support their local and state efforts.
This service, provided free of charge as a benefit of affiliation,
includes online training and technical assistance by
MHA staff. By hosting a SAN, state affiliates can influence
policy through a network of grassroots advocates, increase the
size of their network, recruit new advocates and strengthen
the effectiveness of their messages.
Hosting a SAN may not be suitable for all affiliates, and it is
not a project to be taken lightly. Kate Adams, Network and
Planning Council coordinator, identified three key components
affiliate must have to host a successful SAN:
Specifically, affiliates need to commit approximately 10 to 15
hours of online training, and it helps to have at least a limited
knowledge of HTML and graphic design. To get the most out
a SAN, affiliates will need to periodically update their content,
provide outreach and advocacy opportunities, and run
reports to measure the results of their campaigns.
Utilizing the Convio software, state affiliates can quickly
mobilize their constituency by generating email action alerts
for urgent issues or pressing pieces of legislation. With a click
of the mouse, advocates can make their voices heard by sending
an email or fax to their public officials. The software also
allows users to create online surveys and petitions.
Mental Health America of Colorado has used this service
and has found it helpful for influencing state legislation and
enhancing their advocacy efforts, as well as marketing and
outreach. Since adopting the program, MHA of Colorado has
doubled its house file of advocates through newsletter and
action alert sign-ups.
Those affiliates interested in hosting a SAN can contact Katy
Blasingame at kblasingame@mentalhealthamerica.net.
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The e-Bell Newsletter is published by the Mental Health America, which
works with its 320 affiliates nationwide to promote health, prevent mental
disorders and achieve victory over illnesses through advocacy, education, research
and service. To receive the e-Bell, visit Mental
Health America’s
Web site www.mentalhealthamerica.net or
call 800-969-6642. Cited reproductions, comments and suggestions are
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