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How can you engage volunteers to advocate for mental health policy in your nonprofit?

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Volunteers are the lifeblood of any nonprofit organization, especially those that work on mental health issues. They provide valuable services, support, and resources to the people you serve, and they can also be powerful advocates for mental health policy change. But how can you engage them effectively and strategically to influence decision-makers and stakeholders? Here are some tips to help you build a volunteer advocacy program that works for your nonprofit.

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1 Identify your policy goals

Before you recruit and train volunteers to advocate for mental health policy, you need to have a clear and specific vision of what you want to achieve. What are the main challenges and opportunities for mental health in your community, state, or country? What are the policies or laws that affect your mission and impact? What are the gaps or barriers that need to be addressed or removed? How do you measure your success and progress? Having a clear policy agenda will help you align your volunteers with your organizational goals and communicate your message effectively.

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Keylynne Matos-Cunningham, MPH, M.Ed, LPC-Associate

Trauma Therapist | Adjunct Professor | Workplace Mental Health & Wellness Strategist | Advocate for Liberatory Change
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Engaging volunteers to champion mental health policy in our nonprofit starts with making them feel genuinely connected to our cause. I always kick things off by sharing compelling stories and data that highlight the urgency and impact of our work. Then, I get them involved in training sessions where they can learn advocacy techniques and understand the policies we're pushing for. We also create spaces for volunteers to share their own experiences and ideas, which not only enriches our advocacy strategies but strengthens their commitment. Regular updates on our progress and the difference their efforts make keep the momentum going. Plus, recognizing their contributions, big or small, really keeps everyone motivated and feeling valued.

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Kelly O’Connell

Executive & Investor | Future of Work & Innovation Expert | ESG Advocate
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This is true when recruiting volunteers for all types of mission initiatives, when recruiting volunteers it is essential to have a systematic and scalable onboarding process that creates clear guidelines for the job to be done and creates a transparent view for the volunteer on how their action is supporting the mission /plan for change.

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2 Recruit and train volunteers

Once you have your policy goals, you need to find and prepare volunteers who are passionate, committed, and knowledgeable about mental health issues. You can start by reaching out to your existing volunteers, donors, clients, staff, board members, and partners, and asking them to join your advocacy program. You can also use social media, newsletters, events, and word-of-mouth to attract new volunteers who share your vision and values. To train your volunteers, you need to provide them with the tools and skills they need to advocate for mental health policy. This may include educating them about the policy issues and processes, the key decision-makers and influencers, the best practices and strategies for advocacy, and the ethical and legal guidelines for nonprofit advocacy.

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3 Engage and empower volunteers

To keep your volunteers motivated and effective, you need to engage and empower them throughout the advocacy process. You can do this by creating a volunteer advocacy committee or team that meets regularly, assigns roles and responsibilities, and monitors and evaluates the advocacy activities. You can also provide ongoing support, feedback, recognition, and rewards to your volunteers, and celebrate their achievements and contributions. Additionally, you can empower your volunteers by giving them opportunities to share their stories, experiences, and opinions with the decision-makers and stakeholders, and to influence the policy agenda and outcomes.

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Dr. Femi Ogunrinde C.Dir, ASC

Visionary Leader | AI Advocate in Healthcare & Business | Executive Coach | Chartered Director | Grant Writing Expert
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Recently, a training opportunity for mental health training came through my email box from the National Office of the Mental Health Association. I looked at it and immediately, I asked the ED if the board could take this training. My rationale was that when volunteers are empowered, It makes them motivated and effective. My request was passed on to the Board President, and we would be taking the psychological and safety training. This should get us all more aware and motivated.

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4 Collaborate and network

Another way to engage your volunteers and amplify your advocacy impact is to collaborate and network with other organizations and groups that work on mental health issues or have common interests and goals. You can join or form coalitions, alliances, or networks that coordinate and align their advocacy efforts, share resources and information, and leverage their collective voice and power. You can also invite your volunteers to participate in these collaborations and networks, and to build relationships and connections with other advocates, experts, and allies.

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Laura Craciun

Volunteer Policy Director, MA, at National Shattering Silence Coalition on Steering & PAC committee(s) dedicated to improving our country’s treatment of serious brain illness. Spreading awareness on anosognosia & AOT.
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I believe that we are better together. Coming to the solution of a very complex problem takes a team with various skill sets. The more minds focusing and contributing ideas the better. At National shattering silence coalition we give a voice to the families and loved ones of those living with severe mental illness, especially those with poor insight into their illness (anosognosia). If we all can fall prey to this brain disease, then we all must come up with a solution to it together.

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5 Evaluate and adapt

Finally, you need to evaluate and adapt your volunteer advocacy program to ensure that it is effective, efficient, and sustainable. You can do this by collecting and analyzing data and feedback from your volunteers, decision-makers, stakeholders, and beneficiaries, and by measuring your outputs, outcomes, and impacts. You can also use this information to identify your strengths and weaknesses, your opportunities and threats, and your best practices and lessons learned. Based on your evaluation, you can adapt your volunteer advocacy program to improve your performance, address your challenges, and seize your opportunities.

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6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Senska Madgscherly O'Donnell, MBA ????

CEO @ Womenful Voice | Leadership and Women Empowerment
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Volunteers can advocate for mental health by promoting self-care. Most volunteers are supporting your organization using selflessness, which can be draining. Remind them that they need to pour into themselves tlfor them to have enough to pour into others. Explain that selfishness and selflessness are end of the spectrum, and self-care is the middle. Share that to be strong mentally, you need to make time to take care of self.

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How can you engage volunteers to advocate for mental health policy in your nonprofit?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Identify your policy goals

2 Recruit and train volunteers

3 Engage and empower volunteers

4 Collaborate and network

5 Evaluate and adapt

6 Here’s what else to consider

Non-profit Leadership

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How can you engage volunteers to advocate for mental health policy in your nonprofit?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Identify your policy goals

2 Recruit and train volunteers

3 Engage and empower volunteers

4 Collaborate and network

5 Evaluate and adapt

6 Here’s what else to consider

Non-profit Leadership

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