Advocate

Our Advocacy Tips: Sharing Your Story

When practicing advocacy, sharing your story is one of the best ways to enable others to understand your passion for creating and sustaining better policies to help those living with a mental illness.

Stories and emotions work best through oral interpretation. Here’s how you can practice and refine sharing your story:

Share Your Story Through Advocacy

• Write to or meet with your district supervisor
• Do your research – create a straightforward fact sheet
• Follow up with legislative assistants

Practice Writing and Telling an Effective Story

• Make an introduction, tell your unique story
• Talk about challenges related to this story
• Don’t hesitate to add details – paint a vivid picture
• Express a desired outcome
• Conclude your story, Make the “Ask”
• Thank the listener for their time and attention

Lobbying by Personal Visit

• Lobby in groups of fewer numbers – if possible, bring constituents along
• Make an appointment
• Be courteous and start on a positive note
• Listen carefully
• Clearly state your position, and communicate what you are asking from the legislator
• Reinforce meeting with a NAMI handout
• If the legislator is unavailable, meet with the legislator’s aide