NAMI Legislative Social To Celebrate Programs That Work

FAIRFIELD — Newtowner Judy Gardner, president of NAMI Fairfield, is encouraging supporters of the organization to attend the third Annual Legislative Social on Wednesday, February 1, from 7:30 to 9 pm, at First Church Congregational on Beach Road.

“This year we will be focusing on those mental health programs in lower Fairfield County that work,” she said in a release. “Our goal is to show the legislators that the moneys they allocate are helping to improve people’s lives and that these programs should continue to be funded and supported in the future.”

According to Ms Gardner, this year’s social will focus on four areas: supportive housing, young adult services, school-based services, and mental/medical community health services.

“Since current and future legislative funding will be focused on evidence-based practices to make sure tax dollars are being spent wisely, the social is highlighting those existing programs that provide cost-effective solutions that enable a life in recovery with mental illness,” she said.

NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. NAMI advocates for access to services, treatment, supports, and research and is steadfast in its commitment to raising awareness and building a community of hope for all of those in need.

Legislators and chief elected officials from Bridgeport, Darien, Easton, Fairfield, Greenwich, Monroe, New Canaan, Norwalk, Stamford, Stratford, Trumbull, Weston, Westport, and Wilton have been invited. There will also be representatives present from lower Fairfield County’s psychiatric hospitals, community service agencies, shelters, clubhouses, and private nonprofit service providers.

The goal is to host a large number of “constituents” to make an impact on legislators and elected officials.

Ms Gardner is also asking NAMI supporters to contact their legislators “and tell them that you want to see them at the social!”

To find which legislator represents which towns, go to www.cga.ct.gov/ and click on “House” or “Senate” and follow the path to “Find Your Legislator”.

“This is an easy way to send an e-mail or to connect to their website to find a legislator’s phone number,” Ms Gardner said. “Selectmen and mayors are equally as easy to find by simply going to your town website.”

Ms Gardner believes that while they have been officially invited, when local elected officials hear from constituents they are much more likely to attend.

“When connected with them via e-mail or phone, the message should be short and precise,” she added. “It is enough to say, ‘I am a constituent and I am hoping to see you at the NAMI Legislative Social on February 1. These issues are important to me and I hope you can take the time to learn more about them.’ But the most important part of this event will be turnout.”

The hope is that Wakeman Hall will once again be filled with the community of people affected by mental illness, that legislators will see that their concerns are real and serious, and that their voices will be heard and responded to. The past two socials have each had more than 100 concerned citizens in attendance.

For more information on NAMI visit www.nami.org.