ALEXANDRIA, Va. (October 13, 1999) The National Mental Health Association (NMHA) is launching a National Mental Health Voter Empowerment Project to strengthen the voice of people with mental illnesses in national, state and local politics.

"The more people with mental illness vote and are recognized for voting, the more power they will have in the halls of the U.S. Congress, in state houses and in the thousands of mayors' offices that dot our nation," said Michael M. Faenza, NMHA president and CEO. "The more political influence people with mental illness possess, the more able they are to shape policies that affect them."

The Mental Health Voter Empowerment Project has already made a big difference in New York City, where it was first launched by founder Ken Steele. Since 1994, Steele has helped register 28,000 people with mental illness to vote, 15,000 of whom voted. He and the Mental Health Association of New York State are now implementing the project statewide. With their help, NMHA will carry the project to its 340 affiliates and other allied organizations.

The Voter Empowerment Project is strictly non-partisan and does not dictate how to vote. The project has three important components:

• Voter registration drives
• Candidate surveys
• 'Get-out-the-vote' reminders

One of the most important pieces of the Project is its database. NMHA affiliates and other partners will maintain a list of contact information for voters registered through the project.

Another factor that sets this project apart from other voter registration drives is the candidates' survey. NMHA will send federal candidates questions about vital political issues, such as support for mental health parity, managed care reform, involuntary commitment laws, and The Work Incentives Act. Local Voter Empowerment organizers will send state and local candidates questions regarding local health, housing and employment policies.

Politicians' answers to the surveys will be compiled and sent directly - unedited and without editorial comment - to people registered to vote through the National Mental Health Voter Empowerment Project.

Prior to elections, voters registered through the National Mental Health Voter Empowerment Project will again be contacted and reminded to vote prior to elections.

"The voting power of individuals with mental illnesses can influence members of Congress when they weigh in on mental health policy issues," says Faenza. "What's more, state and local officials will be more likely to fund community-based treatment systems if they know their constituents want them."

Founded in 1909 by mental health consumer Clifford Beers, NMHA is a mental health consumer advocacy organization dedicated to educating the public about mental health issues and reforming the mental health care system. The National Mental Health Voter Empowerment Project is one way that NMHA continues to fulfill its mission while helping to consolidate and build on advances in the mental health consumer movement.

Initial funding for this project comes from the federal Center for Mental Health Services and Janssen Pharmaceutica.