Contact: Patrick Cody (703) 838-7528
pcody@nmha.org

Survey Conducted as Part of NMHA’s Voter Empowerment Project

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (October 10, 2000) The National Mental Health Association (NMHA) today released the results of its survey of political candidates on issues of importance to people with mental illness. Both Gov. George Bush and Vice President Al Gore responded to the questionnaire from NMHA’s Voter Empowerment Project, as did Reform Party candidate John Hagelin and Socialist Party candidate David McReynolds.

Each presidential candidate who responded to the survey said he supports efforts to increase the number of people with mental illness who exercise their right to vote. The candidates also were asked to answer questions related to mental health parity, community-based mental health care programs, access to medications, managed care, homelessness, criminal justice diversion programs, children’s mental health, and other areas.

“This candidate’s survey is a unique opportunity to capture the candidates’ viewpoints on issues that are vital to mental health advocates, consumers and their families,” says Michael Faenza, NMHA president and CEO.

NMHA’s Voter Empowerment Project is a non-partisan effort to register people with mental illness to vote in accordance with the National Registration Act of 1993—and get them to vote on Election Day. The Project is the creation of Ken Steele, a mental health consumer leader who died in his home in New York City on October 7. Mr. Steele had registered over 30,000 people to vote.

NMHA is sending the Voter Empowerment candidate survey responses to its 340 affiliates, colleague organizations, and people with mental illness who have registered to vote through local voter registration drives. For a complete copy of the survey responses from Bush, Gore, Hagelin or McReynolds, contact Patrick Cody at (703) 838-7528. Also available are responses from 55 candidates for U.S. Senate.

The National Mental Health Association (NMHA) is the country's oldest and largest nonprofit organization addressing all aspects of mental health and mental illness. With more than 340 affiliates nationwide, NMHA works to improve the mental health of all Americans through advocacy, education, research and service.