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The New York City Region of the New York Association of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services (NYAPRS) submits a column to NYC Voices on a regular basis to update the community on mental health advocacy, and any of our city- and state-wide events. During the summer months, advocacy work tends to quiet down a bit, so we would like to take the time to further explain NYAPRS, the role of the NYC Region, and the various ways that individuals may become involved with us.

For anyone who is not already familiar with NYAPRS, it is a state-wide coalition of mental health advocates committed to working for legislation, policies, and mental health services that promote recovery, rights, and rehabilitation for individuals with psychiatric disabilities. Throughout the year, NYAPRS holds various local and state-wide events, such as community mental health forums, and our annual Legislative Day in Albany.

Many NYC Voices readers have probably participated in these events, which is a great way to become informed about mental health issues and to get involved with advocacy. However, you may wonder who organizes these events, and you may also want to know how you could become a part of all this.

The NYC Regional Leaders, which consists of individuals from different NYAPRS member agencies in NYC, is the group responsible for planning regional events, and organizing NYC for Legislative Day. This group meets about once a month to plan and organize events, and develop grassroots organizing and outreach strategies. Becoming involved with the Regional Leaders involves a moderate time commitment to attend meetings regularly, and to carry through on a variety of organizing and administrative tasks generated at these meetings. However, it is a great way to gain experience with community organizing; and to see how a state-wide advocacy coalition functions, from recruiting a grassroots base to communicating a policy agenda to lawmakers in Albany.

Another way to get involved with NYAPRS that would require a less formal time commitment is as a Field Organizer. Field Organizers are staff and consumers at different mental health agencies and programs throughout NYC who help organize the region by keeping their specific communities informed about mental health issues and upcoming events. Field Organizers post fliers, conduct one-on-one outreach, and also hold presentations at their agency or program in an effort to expand NYAPRS' grassroots base.

For example, over the past few months Field Organizers received a mailing about a call-in campaign to state legislators to promote the passage of Timothy's Law. The Field Organizers were then asked to share this information with others, and to organize their community to participate in this action.

Becoming a Field Organizer is a great opportunity to keep on top of mental health issues, and to develop some advocacy and organizing skills. We hope that with more Field Organizers, NYC will be able to create a broad, diverse, and well-informed grassroots constituency that will help to further our mental health agenda. The NYC Region of NYAPRS welcomes individuals interested in mental health advocacy to get involved with NYAPRS by attending events, volunteering as a Field Organizer, or helping to plan and organize with the Regional Leaders. For more information, please contact: Teena Brooks, 646-602-5665.