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What is advocacy? To be an advocate is to be more than a cheerleader for a particular cause - in this case, mental health. For us, it means educating the community, as well as policy makers about the complexities of mental health, offering a variety of supporting programs and resources to those who need it most, and changing the perceptions that surround individuals and families affected by mental illness.

There are several different types of advocacy. Each type uses a different approach to achieve a common goal - improving mental health.

System Advocacy - seeks to influence community-based systems, as well as political systems in such a way that change occurs for the benefit of a group of people. System advocacy is the type of acvocacy carried out by the MHA of Central Carolinas, Inc.

Individual Advocacy - is performed when an agency or a person works on behalf of an individual.

Self-Advocacy - is demonstrated when an individual resolves his or her own concerns. This might be supported thorugh personal research and actions designed for improving a condition.

To learn more about our advocacy efforts and accomplishments, sign up to receive our free
Advocacy Updates and Legislative Alerts.

Contact Elected Officials
Become an advocate for mental health. Share your concern about a particular mental health topic or the mental health system with your elected officials. Our officials want to hear from you! (Please note: the officials' names below link to their email addresses)

Board of Commissioners, Mecklenburg County

Jennifer Roberts (D), Chairman	George Dunlap, District 3
Harold Cogdell, Jr. (D), Vice-Chairman	Dumont Clarke (D), District 4
Dan Murrey, MD, MPP, At-Large	Neil Cooksey, District 5
Karen Bentley (R), District 1	Bill James (R), District 6
Vilma Leake, District 2

Board of Commissioners, Cabarrus County

Chairman H. Jay White Sr.	Elizabeth "Liz" Poole
Vice Chairman Grace M. Mynatt	Coy C. Privette
Robert W. "Bob" Carruth

North Carolina General Assembly

House Members - Mecklenburg County

Kelly M. Alexander, Jr. (D)	Jim Gulley (R)
Becky Carney (D)	Ric Killian (R)
Tricia Ann Cotham (D)	Ruth Samuelson (R)
Beverly M. Earle (D)	Martha B. Alexander (D)
Thom Tillis (R)	Nick Mackey (D)

House Members - Cabarrus County

Jeff Barnhart (R)

Linda P. Johnson (R)

Senate Members - Mecklenburg County

Daniel G. Clodfelter (D)	Malcolm Graham (D)
Charlie Smith Dannelly (D)	Bob Rucho (R)
W. Edward (Eddie) Goodall (R)

Senate Members- Cabarrus County

Fletcher L. Hartsell, Jr (R)

North Carolina Congressional Representatives

Senators

Richard Burr

Kay Hagan

Representatives

G.K. Butterfield	Mike McIntyre
Howard Coble	Brad Miller
Bob Etheridge	Sue Myrick
Virginia Foxx	David E. Price
Larry Kissell	Heath Shuler
Walter B. Jones	Melvin L. Watt
Patrick T. McHenry


	Charlotte City Council http://www.charmeck.org/Departments/City+Council/Meet+the+Council/home.htm
	Concord City Council http://www.ci.concord.nc.us/Government/MayorCouncil/tabid/197/Default.aspx
	MeckCares http://www.charmeck.org/Departments/MeckCARES/Home.htm
	The Coalition http://www.thecoalitionnc.org/