Advocacy at NAMI Jacksonville
NAMI Jacksonville advocates to improve the lives of people affected by mental health conditions. From the U.S. Capitol to state legislatures to local city councils, we advocate for laws and policies that help ensure that people get the help they need when they need it.
We use the power of lived experience to shape how our country helps people with mental illness.
Northeast Florida Mental Health Advocacy Group
Established by NAMI Jacksonville, our group consists of practitioners, community partners, people living with mental health conditions, and their families and friends, who work together to help shape and improve mental health legislation.
The Northeast Florida Mental Health Advocacy Group works to advocate for improvements in mental health policies and legislation in Northeast Florida, and at state and national levels.
Sign up for Advocacy Alerts
Meetings
We meet on the first Wednesday of each month from 6:30 – 7:30 pm on Zoom.
Meetings can include:
- Reviewing mental health legislation efforts at local, state and federal levels, and discussing how to best advocate for those efforts.
- Listening to guest speakers on topics related to legislative priorities.
- Planning advocacy and outreach efforts in Northeast Florida.
- Receiving training on the legislative process and advocacy.
To attend a meeting, you need to register to get the Zoom link.
Legislative Priorities
- 988 Crisis Response System
- Supportive Housing
- Reforms to the Baker and Marchman Acts
- Parity in Insurance Coverage
The NEFL Mental Health Advocacy Group is a member of the Florida Mental Health Advocacy Coalition (FLMHAC), and the groups share information and resources, and work together on advocacy at the state level.
Attend a NEFL Mental Health Advocacy Group Meeting!
We meet on the first Wednesday of each month,
from 6:30 - 7:30 pm on Zoom
Meetings are open to anyone who wants to be involved in shaping mental health policy in Northeast Florida.
Advocacy at the State Level: Florida Mental Health Advocacy Coalition
The Florida Mental Health Advocacy Coalition (FLMHAC) is a statewide group of NAMI affiliates and other mental health advocacy partners.
The group’s main purpose is advocating for policy changes and better laws that can help improve the quality of the lives of Floridians affected by mental illness and/or substance use disorders.
Members of this non-profit, non-partisan coalition work together to:
- Identify the most urgent mental health needs in Florida and develop proficiency around the issues associated with those needs.
- Team up with lobbyists to influence public policy and legislative priorities in Florida.
- Stay up to date on state legislative efforts, study bills and issues, and recommend best practices to ensure the best outcome of legislative efforts.
Visit flmhac.org to learn more, become a member, and sign up to receive news and Action Alerts.
NAMI Advocacy at the National Level
NAMI advocates on federal issues with Congress and the Executive Branch.
NAMI takes a non-partisan approach to advocate on a wide range of policy issues, including expanding access to health care coverage, advancing research, diverting people from justice system involvement, promoting early intervention and more.
NAMI advocates have helped pass federal parity laws and mental health reform, expanded coverage through the Affordable Care Act, and successfully fought back attempts to end patient protections.
Learn more about NAMI national advocacy efforts.
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