Mental Illness Advocacy supporters took to the Old Capital Steps in Tallahassee on March 24th for the National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) Florida Advocacy Rally. Their message, Stigma = Discrimination, Treat Us Equally!
The event began at 9:30am with a Rally and Speakers, including President of NAMI Florida and University of Florida Faculty member, Rajiv Tandon, MD. Dr. Tandon was also presented with a proclamation of gratitude from the State of Florida National Alliance on Mental Health.
The group of advocates from Gainesville was also able to meet with their local senators and representatives to discuss the importance of funding for mental health care and work toward ending the discrimination for those with mental illness.
Advocacy Training was available March 23 to interested parties to prepare for the 2015 legislative session and learn to advocate for local issues. Smarts is a NAMI Signature training program designed to facilitate conversations with key government contacts and legislators. Smarts is sponsored by NAMI Tallahassee and NAMI on Campus at Florida State University. Additional information about the Smarts program is linked here
Photos Courtesy of Ana Turner, MD