Legislative Action Community

Welcome to MHANYS’ Legislative Action Community!

Welcome to MHANYS Legislative Action Community, a place where ordinary people are empowered to actively engage with New York State policymakers to improve access to mental health services and reduce the stigma associated with mental illness. Whether you are new to advocacy or a seasoned advocate, the Action Community includes the resources necessary for you to meaningfully participate in the process of influencing needed changes to the mental health system.

Explore the site. We hope you will join us in our mission to end the stigma against mental illness and promote mental health wellness in New York State.

Becoming an advocate can seem intimidating at first, but MHANYS Legislative Action Community can help to take the mystery out of advocacy and provides practical steps for getting started. The main prerequisite is simply a desire to make a difference by helping to influence change.

Thank you for visiting.

Celebrating MHANYS Advocacy Victories

Mental Health Tax Checkoff

Passed in 2015

This law adds a Mental Health Awareness Campaign option to State income tax forms. Proceeds fund anti-stigma projects across NYS.

Learn More About Advocacy

Videos

Public Policy: What is it?

Advocacy Part 1: The Importance of Your Voice

Advocacy Part 2: How to Be an Advocate

How-to Workshop: Advocacy – How to Do It?

(Recording from Mental Health Matters Advocacy Days 2021)

How-to Workshop: Legislative Messaging Campaign

(Recording from Mental Health Matters Advocacy Days 2021)

How-to Workshop: Petition Campaign

(Recording from Mental Health Matters Advocacy Days 2021)

Enhancing Workplace Mental Health

Download Handouts

MHANYS in Action Policy Documents

Policy Year: 2022

MHANYS Issue Briefs

2022 Legislative Briefing Book

Policy Issue Brief – Funding for Nonprofit Human Service Providers

Policy Issue Brief – Mental Health Crisis Response

Policy Issue Brief – Mental Health Resources for Schools

Policy Issue Brief – Mental Health and Higher Education

Policy Issue Brief – Mental Health Information and Resources in the Workplace

Policy Issue Brief – Veterans and Military Families

Memorandums of Support

Mental Health Parity Memo in Support – S3995-A5238

9-8-8 Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Crisis Hotline System Memo in Support – S.6194-B-A.7177-B

Amend the Labor Law in Relation to Workplace Mental Health Memo in Support – S.7577-A.8675

Opioid Settlement Fund Memo in Support – S.7194-A.6395-B

The Definition of the Practice of Pharmacy Memo in Support – A.3040

Masters-in-Mental Health Incentive Scholarship Program Memo in Support – S.7553

All Products Clauses Memo in Support – A.252
AN ACT to amend the social services law, the public health law and the insurance law, in relation to prohibiting a provider of health care coverage from requiring providers of behavioral health services to offer all products offered by the provider of health care coverage.

Continuity in Coverage for Prescription Drugs Memo in Support – S.2849 /A.2969

Mental Health Teacher Training Memo in Support – A.2136

Student Suicide Prevention Act Memo in Support – S.82/A.4763

School Mental Health Absences Memo in Support – S.563/A.1869

Amend the Insurance Law: Step Therapy Memo in Support – S.5909/A.3276

Health Plan Coverage Memo in Support – S.4111/A.4688

Legislation to Improve Maternal Mental Health Memo in Support – S.7752 (Brouk) S.7753 (Brouk) S.7865 (Brouk)/A.5076-A (Solages)

Treatment Not Jail Memo in Support – Act S.2881B Ramos/A8524 Forrest

Regarding Postpartum Depression Screening Tests Memo in Support – S.7753 (Brouk)/A.9102 (Gonzalez-Rojas)

Regarding Maternal Depression Screenings Memo in Support – S.7865 (Brouk)/A.5076-A (Solages)

Regarding Maternal Mental Health and Perinatal and Postpartum Mood and Anxiety Disorders Memo in Support – S.7752 (Brouk)/A.9085 (Clark)

MHANYS Reports/White Papers