Your Voice Matters!
Many of our lawmakers at the state Capitol are brand new to the job this year. And many don’t know the ins and outs of having a mental illness and navigating the system.
Learn how to take YOUR mental health journey and make it into a story that can educate lawmakers during the 2023 Tennessee General Assembly.
Join our four-week Advocacy Series and in-person Day on the Hill and learn how you can become an advocate for better mental health in Tennessee. Your voice matters!
Want action alerts on important issues? Sign up now for text messages on actions you can take! Text NAMITN to 82608 and get signed up!
FEBRUARY
9
THURSDAY
3 PM to 5 PM CST
— PRESENTERS —
Alisa LaPolt
Policy & Advocacy Director, NAMI Tennessee
Sita Diehl
Public Policy & Advocacy Director, NAMI Wisconsin
Reimagined Crisis
Response worksheet
Mental Health Issues: What Advocates Should Know
Join us for a NAMI Smarts training, “Reimagining Crisis Response.”
You’ll learn how to use YOUR story to help influence policymakers to strengthen Tennessee’s mental health crisis response systems, including the new 988 line.
- Learn what we mean when we say crisis response and what 988 is;
- Find out why telling your story about crisis response is important
- Discover what makes a story work and learn storytelling tips
- Write your own story and share with others.
Participation is FREE and registration is available here.
FEBRUARY
15
WEDNESDAY
4 PM to 5 PM CST
— PRESENTER —
Alisa LaPolt
Policy & Advocacy Director, NAMI Tennessee
Powerpoint of
Legislative Briefing
NAMI Tennessee Legislative Briefing
Mental illness is an issue that touches so many areas of our lives and communities – courts, schools, law enforcement, health care and more. Lawmakers will be considering policies and funding that could affect access and availability of mental health services in many of these areas during the 2023 Tennessee General Assembly.
Hear from our policy team at NAMI Tennessee, the state’s largest mental health grassroots organization, what’s in store in the coming months of the legislative session.
This event will be recorded and available for review prior to our Day on the Hill event March 1.
Participation is FREE and registration is available here.
FEBRUARY
22
WEDNESDAY
12 PM to 2 PM CST
— PRESENTER —
Alisa LaPolt
Policy & Advocacy Director, NAMI Tennessee
Advocacy Toolkit
“Tell Your Story” Worksheets
Grassroots Advocacy Training Slideshow
Grassroots Advocacy Training
As more Tennesseans struggle with mental health conditions following the pandemic, lawmakers are searching for solutions. They need to hear from people who have experienced mental health challenges so they can make fully informed, well-educated decisions for our state and its people.
Our online Grassroots Advocacy Training will teach you:
- How to turn your mental health experience into a story that can help others;
- Why it’s important to share your story with lawmakers;
- How to contact your lawmakers, set up a meeting, and what to say;
- How to become an effective storyteller who will make an impact.
This training will be recorded. We strongly encourage you to participate or watch the recording if you plan to come to our Day on the Hill event on March 1.
Participation is FREE and registration is available here.
MARCH
1
WEDNESDAY
TIME: 10 AM – 3 PM CST
— LOCATION–
Cordell Hull Building Cafeteria
425 5th Ave N, Nashville, TN, 37219
State Capitol
Legislative Lounge
Second floor
Register for Day on the Hill
NAMI Tennessee Legislative Priorities
Day on the Hill Parking
NAMI Tennessee Day on the Hill
Join us at the Tennessee Capitol as we meet with lawmakers and share stories of our mental health journeys. Your voice matters!
Speakers will include Commissioner Marie Williams of the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. Lunch will be provided. Registration will be available soon.
We strongly encourage you to participate in or watch the recording of the February 15 Grassroots Advocacy Training if you plan to come to our Day on the Hill event.
Participation is FREE and registration is available here
IMPORTANT: Online registration ends on Feb. 28, 2023 at 12:00 PM CST. You can still register in person the day of the event by visiting the registration table in Cordell Hull Building Cafeteria, second floor 425 5th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37219. In-Person Registration will take place 10:00 – 11:45 am Central Time