{"id":10739,"date":"2022-11-04T14:41:01","date_gmt":"2022-11-04T14:41:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jedfoundation.org\/?page_id=10739"},"modified":"2022-11-15T18:21:10","modified_gmt":"2022-11-15T18:21:10","slug":"student-advocacy-hub","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/jedfoundation.org\/student-advocacy-hub\/","title":{"rendered":"Student Advocacy Hub"},"content":{"rendered":"

Want to advocate for student mental health, but don\u2019t know where to start? Check out these resources!<\/span><\/p>\n

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Your voice matters! Here are five ways you can advocate at the federal level for student mental health.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Share your story.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Representatives want to hear how proposed policy would directly impact you and your community. Let them know about your experience with school-based mental health services or your own mental health journey. Typically, only emails with the most unique or memorable stories get shared with actual congresspeople; we recommend adding personal anecdotes to make your outreach more memorable and poignant!<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Use data.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

On our website <\/span>here<\/span><\/a>, you will find key data points and up-to-date statistics about mental health issues and prevention rates among young people to fully equip you to advocate for policies, systems, and environmental changes that will <\/span>improve mental health and well-being on your college campus. Our aim is to provide accessible, digestible, and contextualized data to support your advocacy efforts.<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Have a clear ask.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

What policies, practices, or programs do you want to bring to your school? While you might want your representative to vote yes on every mental health bill that is being considered, try to narrow your focus to one piece of legislation. Make sure to include the full names and bill numbers for each policy that you are promoting.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

4. Contact your representative.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Reaching out to your representative can be a great way to ensure that in-school mental health policies get the support they need to pass on a federal level.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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  1. Click <\/span>here<\/span><\/a> to find your representatives.<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Contact methods:<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n