NAMI 2008 RESOURCE GUIDE

NAMI UPDATE RECEIVED 09-22-08

Voting is the foundation of democracy. Every vote counts.

In 2000, President George W. Bush won the presidential election by winning in Florida by a margin of only 930 votes out of six million cast in the state. That win made the difference in the Electoral College.

Deadlines for registering to vote are fast approaching. You can register to vote online today through this newsletter. Please be sure to check your state's deadline. Absentee ballots involve different procedures with later deadlines. For separate applications and easy- to-follow procedures on absentee voting, please visit "Go Vote Absentee."

For additional information about deadlines and procedures, NAMI also recommends the League of Women Voters Education Fund's "Vote 411" site.

NAMI has released the responses of presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama to a detailed questionnaire about mental health care, along with highlights of the Democratic and Republican platforms.

The positions are offered as part of public education. As a non-profit organization, NAMI does not endorse political candidates, but mental illness does not discriminate between Democrats or Republicans. One out of four Americans is affected by mental illness at some point during their lifetimes.

Be an informed voter! Learn the positions of candidates and parties before you vote.


Help make mental health part of the Election dialog with candidates at the federal, state and local levels. There are many ways to make a difference.

* Learn the issues. Read through NAMI's Policy Action Agenda and pick up useful facts and points to emphasize.

* Ask questions. Attend a candidate forum. Ask candidates one or more open-ended questions related to mental illness.

* Talk with family, friends and others. Educate them. Make sure that they plan to vote on November 4.



Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW) is observed October 5-11 and coincides with a televised presidential debate on November 7. One way to raise awareness of mental illness for that week is by submitting letters to editors or op-ed commentaries a week or more beforehand to your local newspaper.

A model letter and op-ed are included among MIAW materials. Please adapt them to include a personal story or observation in your own words and submit them to your own local paper-no matter how small.

This year's MIAW theme is "Building Community, Taking Action." In a democracy, elections are one way that we build community. Taking action means speaking out as part of public dialogue-and voting. The outcome of elections will also help determine actions that will be taken long after ballots are cast.