Tips on Lobbying and Advocacy

  • Advocacy by the psychiatrist is a crucial aspect of patient care because legislation impacts patient access to quality care for mental illness
  • The key to successful lobbying is building a genuine relationship of trust with a legislator. Through consistent contact develop and maintain a connection with your legislator. Let your government relations and district branch staff know about your contacts
  • Remember you are the expert in psychiatric care for the mentally ill. You are uniquely qualified to share information with legislators who lack detailed knowledge in this area
  • When meeting with an elected official or their staff:
    • Identify yourself as psychiatric physician
    • Mention an approximate number of patients (their constituents) you treat in a given week and whether your patient care is paid for through public funds
    • Emphasize the effect of the legislation on the community and your patients
    • Ask the legislator to either support, oppose or amend the legislation you are meeting with them about
  • Take advantage of resources from the APA Division of Government Relations (DGR), such as the "Contacting your Legislator" handout.
  • Utilize lobbying training/resources offered by your District Branch and DGR staff (703-907-8584)
  • Remember that constituents have easier access to elected officials than professional lobbyists do. Officials want to hear from you and consider physicians as leaders in the community
  • Team up with patient advocacy groups such as the local Alliance for the Mentally Ill or Mental Health Association for more effective lobbying
  • Remember that you do not need to agree with a particular legislator on every issue to establish a relationship. A foe on one issue can be a friend on another
  • If you are reluctant to contact your legislator, consider that your opponents on critical issues have already made their visits
  • Contribute to Political Action Committees representing your interests: your district branch, state association, your national association and the medical society

    If you would like a copy of "Contacting your Legislators" or have any questions about advocacy, please contact Katherine McAllister, DGR, at kmcallister@psych.org

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