What actions can advocates take?
By the term "advocates", we refer to family, friends, community leaders, and concerned community members who are affected by the mental illness of others.

1. WHAT YOU CAN DO IN YOUR COMMUNiTY:

	Counter negative sterotypes when you hear them by replacing them with positive comments. Get positive messages out. Frequently the mentally ill are portrayed negatively on television shows. Let your TV and radio stations know how you feel. Let your newspapers know if they use negative stereotypes.
	Find out about these suggestions & more at The National Mental Health Consumers' Self-Help Clearinghouse. Join an advocacy group.
	Contact your community leaders. You can help consumer groups find ways to volunteer their srvices for community projects (read to the blind or park clean-up days, for example). Let's try to get recognition of consumer groups as helpful citizens.
	Help consumers learn to advocate for themselves with the Freedom Self-Advocacy Curriculum from NMHCSHC.
	Contact the ADS Center , which stands for ADDRESS DISCRIMINATION AND STIGMA for more information, research and programs on stigma. You will find links to states, organizations, communities, and private opportunities for partnerships. Get the ADS brochure here.

2. TAKE POLITICAL ACTION to get more federal support:

	Mental Health Parity Act - senate summary. Govtrack.us tracks congressional actions about bills. Read H.R. 1424. Go to Samhsa for more tips.
	Go to : takeaction.mentalhealthamerica.net to work for funding and support for mental illness.
	Find out more about issues that you can support. Contact your representatives. See children's mental health initiatives.
	Proceed to Let's Summarize.