Advocacy Day

Annual Advocacy Day Lansing

Did you know that 1 in 5 adults in Michigan experience mental illness each year? It’s time to take action and advocate for better mental health care access! Join fellow United Methodists in Michigan in making a difference for those in need. Let’s work together to improve access to care and support for all.

The 2024 Advocacy Day at the Michigan State Capitol will be held on Wednesday, March 13. Last year, 350 United Methodists and friends from across Michigan spent the day advocating with their state legislators, and this year, we hope to grow that participation.  Our focus in 2024 is assuring that all persons have access to affordable mental health care and to reduce the stigma of mental health that impacts every family in Michigan. Specific asks are around:

• House Bill (HB) 4707, regarding mental health parity, which would require insurance companies to cover mental health care at the same rates as physical health care.
•  HB 5371 and HB 5372, which codify Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) into state law. Services at CCBHCs are available to anybody, regardless of age, residency, ability to pay, insurance coverage, or severity of the mental illness. This enables people to start receiving care even before they are in a severe mental health crisis. If someone is on a waitlist for a therapist, psychiatrist, or other mental health provider, they can start receiving care at a CCBHC and then transition to that other provider once they’re off the waitlist.

Learn More

HOW YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE

• Register now and get all communications related to this event.
• Attend the Advocacy 101: Let’s Talk about Power webinar on January 25 at 7 PM EST/6 PM CST.
• Watch the February 15 Lunch and Learn on Mental Health Advocacy at 12:15 PM EST/11:15 PM CST.
• Attend the first online training on Tuesday, February 20 at 7:00 PM EST. ‘A Roadmap’ with Tori Booker, Advocacy and Outreach Manager for Immigration Law and Justice Michigan.
• Attend the second online training on Monday, February 26 at 7:00 PM EST.  ‘Insights’ with State Representative Julie Rogers, Chair of House Health Policy Committee; and State Representative Felicia Brabec
• Attend Advocacy Day on March 13 at 9:00 AM EST in Lansing.

 Register Online.

Advocacy Day Schedule

Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Central UMC in Lansing – 215 N Capitol Ave, Lansing, MI 48933

*All times Eastern Standard Time
7:30 AM Registration and refreshments
8:30 AM Welcome
9:30 AM – 11:30 AM – Advocacy Activities
11:30 AM – Press Conference
12:15 PM – Lunch
1:00 PM – Worship
Official events conclude after worship. Capitol tours are optional at 2:30 PM and 3:00 PM. Sign-up is included in the registration form.

Cost

To learn more about the Church & Society Committee of First UMC, visit our webpage.