Monday, January 30, 2023, 10 – 2 PM

We’ll meet virtually to call on Vermont leaders and legislators to let them know “Mental Health Starts with YOUth.” Let’s be the generation that replaces mental health stigma with mental health support.

The morning is filled with welcome addresses from state leaders, a keynote plenary session, and special awards. This year’s keynote speaker is Alexina Federhen, Miss Vermont 2022. The afternoon features opportunities for people to share their stories of hope and recovery. There are also opportunities to provide testimony at key legislative committees.

Who should attend?

Mental health advocates, peers, family members, professionals, providers, community members, and mental health stakeholders.

Register to Attend
Click the button below to register for Mental Health Advocacy Day. Once you have registered, you will receive an email with the Zoom link to use for the event.

Register Now

Get Involved
Share Your Story
Attendees have the opportunity to share their lived experience story, a poem, or other insights at the event. Each participant will have 2–3 minutes to speak. You may pre-record your story or share it live on January 30. If you plan to pre-record your story, please read the guidelines before doing so.

Guidelines
Share Your Story
Provide Testimony
Following Mental Health Advocacy Day, we invite participants to share testimony with House or Senate Committees between January 31 and February 3.
We will reach out to Committee Chairs to request the opportunity to share testimony. There is no guarantee that we can testify to certain committees. This is at the discretion of the Committee Chairs. If you need help in creating testimony, we suggest NAMI Smarts Legislative Advocacy training.

Register to Testify

Vermont Care Partners Advocacy Fact Sheet
Here is a link to our Advocacy Fact Sheet: Vermont Care Partners Advocacy Fact Sheet
The critical points are the rising demand, the impact of the ongoing workforce crisis and need for improved funding.

Agenda
10:00–10:10 a.m. Welcome and Introduction
10:10–11 a.m. Remarks by State Leaders
11:00–11:45 a.m. Keynote Address: Alexina Federhen, Miss Vermont 2022
11:45–12:00 p.m. Youth Mental Health Advocacy Award
12:00–12:30 p.m. Lunch Break
12:30-2:00 p.m. Sharing Our Stories (live and pre-recorded)
Jan. 31–Feb. 3: Testimony at Key Legislative Committees