Advocacy

Advocacy is the act of influencing outcomes that affect people’s lives. It can be as simple as speaking out on an issue or writing a letter of support for an issue that you care about, to something as complex as organizing a support campaign or educating and motivating others about an issue.

Advocacy protects the rights guaranteed by the democratic tradition of equality and justice.

Advocacy is pressing for changes in policy, procedures and laws to protect existing rights and to create new ones. It’s also putting a problem on the agenda, providing a solution to that problem and building support for acting on both the problem and the solution.

All citizens have the right and responsibility to speak out and advocate in support for what they believe. Public officials — school board members, city council or Assembly members, state legislators and members of the U.S. Congress — are elected to serve the public. It is the role of the public official to work for their constituents, the citizens of their district, and it is the role of citizens to communicate what they need.

Please contact:
Stephanie Hopkins, Advocacy Coordinator
Alaska Mental Health Board
Advisory Board on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse
Email: stephanie.hopkins@alaska.gov
Telephone: 907-465-4667

Advocacy Materials

The information sheets below are a brief snapshot of the most current data for Alaska. They were created in partnership with the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority, the Alaska Commission on Aging and the Governor’s Council on Disabilities and Special Education. For more information, go to the Trust’s Joint Advocacy page.

2021 Advocacy Materials

2020 Advocacy Materials




Join our ADVOCACY ACTION NETWORK, sponsored by the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority, to receive alerts and announcements about what is going on in Alaskan politics related to Trust beneficiaries (people with mental illness, substance use disorders, intellectual and developmental disabilities, Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia, traumatic brain injury, fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, etc.).

The Alaska Mental Health Board and Advisory Board on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse work closely with stakeholders, the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority, and partner advisory boards, to inform grass roots advocates about legislative issues, connect voters with their elected officials, get out the vote, and more.

Legislative Advocacy Reports and Priorities

  • 2021 Legislative Advocacy Report
    This report contains bills and budget items that affect Mental Health Trust beneficiaries that passed during the 2021 legislative session.
  • 2020 Legislative Advocacy Report
    This report contains bills and budget items that affect Mental Health Trust beneficiaries that passed during the 2020 legislative session.
  • 2019 Legislative Advocacy Report
    This report contains bills and budget items that affect Mental Health Trust beneficiaries that passed during the 2019 legislative session.
  • 2014 Legislative Advocacy Report
    This report contains bills and budget items that affect Mental Health Trust beneficiaries that passed during the 2014 legislative session.
  • 2013 Legislative Advocacy Report
    This report contains bills and budget items that affect Mental Health Trust beneficiaries that passed during the 2013 legislative session.
  • 2012 Legislative Advocacy Report
    This report highlights the boards’ priority bills and budget items passed during the 2012 legislative session. Offering an overview of capital projects and budget items that benefit families, youth and people affected with substance abuse and mental disorders.
  • 2011 Legislative Advocacy Report
    This report highlights 2011 priority bills and the FY12 budget. Legislature approves $225,000 to Family Preservation in Office of Children's Services.
  • 2010 Legislative Advocacy Report
    This report highlights the boards’ priority bills and budget items during the 2010 legislative session. Besides offering an overview of the boards priority legislation, the report presents a review of other bills and budget items affecting people experiencing mental illness and substance abuse disorders.
  • 2009 Legislative Advocacy Report
    This report highlights 2009 priority bills and budget items affecting people experiencing mental illness and substance abuse disorders, people with disabilities, traumatic brain injury, and seniors.
  • 2009 AMHB/ABADA Legislative Priorities (2-4-09)
    These are the legislative priorities established by the boards for the 2009 session, including the top four budget priorities with back-up, and a more comprehensive list by category.
  • 2009 Joint Priorities
    These priorities, established at the November 2008 Joint Advocacy Summit, are moving forward with the support of the Alaska Mental Health Board, Advisory Board on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, Alaska Commission on Aging, Governor’s Council on Disabilities and Special Education, Alaska Brain Injury Network, Suicide Prevention Council and the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority.

Click here to go to the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority web site