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Watch The Latest Episode of Mental Health Now and
Click here to watch the latest episode of the NAMI-NYS produced TV show
Mental Health Now. This episode features Congressman Paul Tonko (D-NY-20) who discusses the historic passage of HR 2646 and the next steps necessary to reform mental healthcare, improve the delivery of services and better the lives of individuals and families impacted by mental illness.
DISCLAIMER: NAMI-NYS does not endorse political candidates. Rep. Tonko appears on the show as an elected official and not as a candidate. While Rep.
Tonko is up for re-election this year, his appearance on
Mental Health Now
should not be viewed as an endorsement from NAMI-NYS or NAMI.
TAKE ACTION!!!
As is discussed on this episode, this is a critical time for mental health reform, while the passage of HR 2646 was a landmark achievement, it will all be for not, if the Senate does not pass it's corresponding bill S.2680.
TELL SENATOR SCHUMER TO SUPPORT S.2680!
As is mentioned in the episode, despite strong bi-partisan support, the window for the U.S. Senate to act on S.2680 is rapidly closing. Some Senators are trying to combine this bill with gun control legislation. NAMI, NAMI-NYS and key Congressional leaders such as Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN) (one of the bill's lead sponsors) and Rep Tim Murphy (R-PA) (lead sponsor of HR 2546) believe these are separate issues and that mental health reform measures that are receiving broad bi-partisan support should not be held hostage to legislation the parties cannot agree on.
One of New York's Senators, Kirstin Gilibrand, is already a co-sponsor of S.2680, but our other Senator, Charles Schumer, despite his long history of support for mental health reform, is not currently a sponsor. As New York's "
senior Senator" and one of the leaders of his party, Senator Schumer has a powerful voice and it is crucial that he supports this legislation and fights to get a vote on this during September's Senate session. NAMI-NYS has sent a letter to Senator Schumer, which you can click here to read, but your advocacy voice is needed as well.
Call Senator Schumer's office today at 1-202-224-6542 and tell them that you are a New Yorker who has been impacted by mental illness and you urge Senator Schumer to co-sponsor S.2680 and help bring it to the floor for a vote during the September session.
Click here to view talking points for S.2680 which NAMI has put together. Feel free to incorporate any of these points when making the call.
ENGAGE CANDIDATES DURING THIS ELECTION SEASON!
NAMI-NYS encourages all our members to seek out candidates this election season, where all House and New York State Legislative seats are up for election, and engage candidates from both parties to discuss issues impacting mental health reform.
NAMI has provided a few materials to help you in this important effort.
Click here to read a list of NAMI's #Act4MentalHealth legislative priorities.
Click here for a list of questions to ask candidates about these priority issues.
Click here for a list of do's and don'ts of engagement during election season.
Thank you for Watching and Taking Action
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