The National Alliance on Mental Illness has national, state and local affiliate chapters that advocate for changes in in public attitudes towards mental illness, and for improvements in mental health policy, funding and legislation. Generally, NAMI National advocates on the national level and sets NAMI policy on mental health issues, while state NAMI offices advocate on the state level (guided by NAMI National policies). Local NAMI affiliates like NAMI Santa Clara County partner with mental health agencies at the local level to improve services and resources, and encourage their members to follow national and state advocacy guidelines and calls for member action. Learn how NAMI can help you become a mental health advocate.
How can I advocate for mental health awareness, services and support?
Join NAMI as a member and receive online NAMI National and state newsletters, mental health legislative information and calls for member action (advocacy alerts).
Find out about NAMI’s position on mental health issues.
NAMI National Public Policy Platform – The Public Policy Platform articulates where The National Alliance on Mental Illness stands on issues related to its goal of helping individuals and families affected by mental illness build better lives.
Learn more about your national, state and local mental health systems are funded, structured and resourced. Learn about national and local laws affecting persons with mental illness. Find out how you can take action to advocate for mental health transformation. Make your voice heard regarding mental health laws, funding and services.
Mental Health in California – “Understanding Mental Health prevalence, system connections, service delivery, and funding.” The sections on service delivery and funding are most relevant to mental health advocacy.
NAMI California Advocacy and Legislation site – NAMI California takes an active role in California’s legislative process. Each year, they select a package of legislation to support, and they also identify legislation that may negatively impact individuals with mental illness, which they will oppose or seek to amend. NAMI California makes decisions about legislation based on the NAMI guiding policy document, the NAMI California Public Policy Platform. NAMI California provides resources for local NAMI affiliates and individuals who want to impact legislation and otherwise advocate for improvements to mental health in their communities. The NAMI CA Advocacy Toolkit has tips on how to be an effective CA state mental health advocate. You can also review this Overview of the California Legislative Process.
California State Association of Counties Legislative Tracking – this non profit organization representing the interests of California’s counties has an excellent legislative tracking page. Select “Keyword” and enter “mental health” for a list of mental health related legislation.
MHSA: The Mental Health Services Act of California – More than 2 million children, adults, and seniors are affected by potentially disabling mental illnesses every year in California. Thirty years ago, the State of California cut back on its services in state hospitals for people with severe mental illnesses, without providing adequate funding for mental health services in the community. Many people became homeless. To address this issue, Proposition 63 was approved by voters in 2004. Proposition 63, also called the Mental Health Services Act, was enacted into law on January 1, 2005. It places a 1% tax on personal income above 1 million dollars; since that time, it has generated approximately $8 billion. Proposition 63 emphasizes transformation of the mental health system while improving the quality of life for Californians living with a mental illness. Prop 63 consists of the following programs: Community Services & Support, Capital Facilities and Technological Needs, Workforce Education & Training, Prevention & Early Intervention, Innovation
Santa Clara County MHSA Programs – County of Santa Clara Behavioral Health MHSA program description, community involvement, plans/reports and components and programs.
Special Legal Topics:
- NAMI SCC Involuntary Treatment page describes current California involuntary treatment laws
- Assisted Outpatient (AOT) also known as “Laura’s Law”. Also Learn about Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) as implemented in Santa Clara County
- Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Act of 2022 also known as CARE Court. Santa Clara County plans to start Referrals to CARE Court on December 1, 2024.
- Senate Bill (SB) 43 (2023) expands the definition of Grave Disability, one of the criteria used to place people with disabilities on involuntary holds and the only criteria for mental health conservatorships. Santa Clara County must implement SB43 by January 1, 2026.
- California Passed Prop. 1 (2024): What’s Next for Behavioral Health System Reform?
Contact your local government representatives often to give them your opinions, as their constituent, about mental health issues and legislation affecting your community, state and nation.
Find your California representative
Santa Clara County Elected Officials