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In the world of advocacy, nothing makes a better case for an issue than the stories of the people who most greatly need the change being sought. You can share your own story, your own Beautiful Mind", through MHANYS Website, www.mhanys.org. Our new on-line advocacy program, "Real People, Real Stories" allows legislators to hear first hand the road to recovery from the people who have lived it.

I've been a professional advocate for more than two decades. In that time, I have largely spent my time speaking to elected officials about how the things they do affect other people. And my efforts are always most effective when there is a person beside me talking about what needs to be done to make their life better.

These are days of social turmoil. In the same year, we have one of the most popular movies "A Beautiful Mind", a story about schizophrenia and recovery, competing with the most watched trial, the prosecution of Andrea Yates, being about schizophrenia without recovery.

What are our leaders to believe? Which is reality, and which is the exception?

The truth will be known when real people tell their real stories. If we are really going to change the way that mental health is looked at, the way services are provided and the way communities support these efforts, we need to share the truth with our elected officials.

Telling your story to your legislator is now very easy. Please go to our website (again, it is www.mhanys.org) On the right side of our home page, you will see a picture of the state capitol and the heading "Advocacy Now." Under that, click on "Real People, Real Stories". You will get a screen that explains the effort, and how to do it.

What you send is your words, thoughts and ideas-completely uncensored. It is as easy as identifying your legislator, typing in your story and thoughts, and hitting "send." Please take a few minutes to share your beautiful mind, and help improve the way that our state serves people with mental health needs.