Numerous Legislators Invited To NAMI Gathering

On Monday, February 1, NAMI Fairfield, along with NAMI Stamford/Greenwich, NAMI Connecticut, and the Southwest Regional Mental Health Board, will sponsor a Legislative Social. This social will provide information about some of the essential issues that affect people living with mental illness in Lower Fairfield County to legislators and local elected officials.

It will be held in Wakeman Hall, First Church Congregational, 148 Beach Road, Fairfield, from 7:30 to 9 pm.

NAMI is the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Its goals are to support those living with mental illness and their loved ones, to provide educational programs to the community that foster understanding and healthy living, and to provide advocacy.

NAMI Connecticut’s Public Policy Committee has identified several issues to focus on for the upcoming Congressional year. Four issues will addressed at this social: preserving Medicare, access to medication, access to community mental health services, and permanent supportive housing.

Testimonies will be given by people living with mental illness who have benefited from the existing programs that support these issues, as well as by those who are frustrated by the scarcity or limitations of existing programs. The service provider viewpoint will also be represented.

Legislators and chief elected officials from Bridgeport, Darien, Easton, Fairfield, Greenwich, Monroe, New Canaan, Norwalk, Stamford, Stratford, Shelton, Trumbull, Weston, Westport, and Wilton have been invited. There will also be representatives present from lower Fairfield County’s psychiatric hospitals, community service agencies, shelters, Clubhouses, and private nonprofit service providers. The goal is for a large number of “constituents” to make an impact on legislators and elected officials.

NAMI Fairfield President Judy Gardner said, “It is important that supporters of this event contact their legislator, and selectman/mayor to stress the importance of their attendance. While they have been ‘officially’ invited, when elected officials hear from their constituents they are much more likely to attend.”

To find a legislator, go to www.cga.ct.gov/ and click on “House” or “Senate” and follow the path to “Find Your Legislator.” Or go to www.namifairfield.org, then the “Speaker Meeting” page and click on the direct link. This is an easy way to send an email or to connect to the website to find a legislator’s phone number. Selectmen and mayors are equally as easy to find by simply going to the town website.

Ms Gardner continued, “When connected with them via email or phone, the message should be short and precise. It is enough to say ‘I am a constituent and I am hoping to see you at the NAMI Legislative Social on Monday, February 1. It is from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at First Church Congregational on Beach Road in Fairfield. These issues are important to me and I hope you can take the time to learn more about them.’”

The social is open to the public, is free of charge, and light refreshments will be served. To RSVP or for more information, call Judy at 203-650-3463.

Due to this event there will be no NAMI Fairfield February First Wednesday of the Month Speaker Meeting.