Your voice is powerful
That’s why it’s vital to speak up and out loud. Whether you’re writing a letter to your local newspaper, meeting with policymakers and influencers, or taking action online, being a strong advocate for improving the lives of children means spreading the word and encouraging others to join the fight. If you haven’t already, sign up to join the advocacy efforts of The Children’s Center to stay in the know about current initiatives and action items. Then check out these tips to keep up your momentum.
Tell your story
The most impactful tool you have is your story. Plain and simple. Talking about your experience candidly helps people identify with the issue—it can show how mental and behavioral health issues can affect children and their families. You can educate decision makers, inspire other advocates to share their own experiences and even encourage others to get involved.
What you can do:
- Share your story about the mental and behavioral health challenges your child(ren) and family face every day
- Tell us what inspires you to take action for children’s mental and behavioral health
Contact your elected officials
It’s important to communicate with your elected officials about issues that are important to you, your children and your community. Federal, state and local governments play an integral role in the research funding, treatment and access to care that impact children experience mental and behavioral health challenges.
What you can do:
- Ask questions about children’s mental and behavioral health issues at events or town halls your local, state or federal elected officials hold
- Take the Stigmafree Pledge to let others know that there is hope and understanding. You can change the way the world sees mental health.
Enter your home address below to reach out to your elected officials to show your support for issues that impact children’s mental and behavioral health.
Be a digital advocate
Are you active on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or other social media? Get social and share why you’re an advocate for children’s mental and behavioral health. If you’re not sure where to start, check out our Tweetable Facts. Or if you’re already a pro, share with us what you’re doing on social media to help raise awareness of children’s mental and behavioral health issues. And be sure to posts your pics with hashtags about children’s mental and behavioral health!
Here are a few hashtags we use regularly: #MentalHealth #Autism #HelpingHeal #ASD #HealChildrenHealDetroit and #StopStigma.
What you can do:
- Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter (@TCCRealTalk), Instagram (TheChildrensCenter) and YouTube
- Tweet the facts
- Sign up and take action by joining The Children’s Center Advocacy email list and make your voice heard!
