NAMI Eastside News - From the Editor: May 2002

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NAMI EASTSIDE
Family Resource Ctr.
16315 NE 87th Street
Suite B-11
Redmond, WA 98052
425-885-NAMI (6264)
info@nami-eastside.org

NAMI Eastside News - From the Editor

The NAMI Eastside News “From the Editor” column is penned by Susan Rynas. You can reach Susan via e-mail at sgrynas@yahoo.com (include "Newsletter” in subject line) or contact the NAMI Eastside office at 425-885-NAMI (6264).

FROM THE EDITOR: MAY - JUNE 2002

In real estate it is location, location, and location. In getting family member and consumer views heard and acted upon with elected officials, it is relationship, relationship, and relationship!

At our recent educational forum, Rep. Laura Ruderman spoke on the topic of grassroots advocacy. Her comments centered on five tips to keep in mind when interacting with legislators:

Be Polite. Make an effort to build common ground. Focus on areas of agreement before venturing into areas of disagreement.
Be Informed. Know your topic of concern. Know the prime sponsor of a bill. Thank the legislator for his/her sponsorship. Ask how you can help move a bill along.
Be from the District. Legislators are directly responsible to residents within the geographical area or District that they are elected to represent. District voters elect or defeat legislators. Constituent's appointment times are longer than those of lobbyists.
Be Persistent. Multiple and simultaneous demands from various sources can sometimes mean a legislator will not respond as quickly as you expected. Call or e-mail again. Follow up with a reminder. Prod gently but firmly.
Be specific. Know what you are requesting. Ask for a commitment from your legislator. We are privileged to live in a participatory democracy. Make use of this privilege.

Relationships take time, effort, genuineness, trust and commitment. They are rarely easy. There can be frustrations and areas of non-alignment. But meaningful and lasting relationships are valuable and becoming a resource for an elected official relating to issues of mental illness is a goal worthy of every NAMI Eastside member and supporter.

My challenge is not only to know your District and who your elected officials are but to contact them by phone, letter, or e-mail. Introduce yourself. Tell your story. Let them know that May is Mental Health Month. Tell them why that has meaning for you. In your experience, how has the mental health system worked? How has it failed? How can it improve? Can your legislator take any action that can help your family or individual situation?

Is access to care an issue? Continuity of care? Standard or quality of care? How so? Be concrete. Give examples. Silence is not golden. Silence adds to stigma. Join us in speaking to issues relating to brain disorders. Together, NAMI Eastsiders are speaking with many voices united as one. We are waiting for you. Speak up now.

Till next time, take good care. Susan