In case you’re like me, the concept of attending a congressional briefing could also be intimidating and complicated. Initially, I anticipated what you would possibly see on C-SPAN – to stroll into a big assembly room stuffed with older, influential authorities representatives questioning folks as they stand in entrance of a microphone. As psychological well being advocates, or future advocates, our voices matter, and attendance at all these boards is crucial for change. Maybe, such as you, the considered one thing so formal was intimidating.

What I skilled, nonetheless, was far much less stoic. In reality, it was the precise reverse of what I used to be anticipating. They even supplied snacks and refreshments.

Briefing fundamentals

Congressional briefings are like mini informational periods stuffed with folks from all corners of the nation who share a standard curiosity or concern. The principle purpose is to supply insights into a difficulty by detailing its prevalence and serving to folks perceive that change is critical for enchancment. As soon as that data is supplied, contributors can clarify how and why their proposed resolution would profit the higher good.

Not too long ago, Psychological Well being America and our companions organized a congressional briefing to debate the significance of peer help companies and what’s wanted from Congress to increase entry. You’ll be able to take a look at the recording right here. For somebody new to psychological well being advocacy or eager to develop into extra concerned within the legislative facet, listed below are discoveries I made which may assist in your journey.

5 takeaways and suggestions

1. In case you’re in search of an answer to a systemic situation, you could present data on why and the way that situation impacts common residents – and provide options.

On the newest briefing, Psychological Well being America gathered a bunch of specialists in peer help companies to debate why new options are very important to their work and the way others can get entangled. Among the many panelists, one supplied direct peer help companies in underserved communities; the second obtained these companies as an adolescent and has since devoted their life to making sure different younger folks have that very same entry; the third works for a medical health insurance supplier that reimburses peer help specialists, growing entry for a lot of of us in want; and the fourth panelist shared her expertise with institutionalization and professionals who claimed her analysis would forestall her from dwelling an on a regular basis life. All 4 specialists supplied in-depth information and dwelling proof that peer help companies are efficient and ought to be bodily and financially out there nationwide. The data they shared proved to attendees how useful peer help companies have been to the lives of these they serve and confirmed how straightforward it will be to implement extra peer companies throughout the nation. As a company led by the voices of lived expertise, these real-life accounts gave insights into the problem. By then offering an answer and tips about how that resolution may be molded and utilized on a bigger scale, policymakers are left with tangible mechanisms to work with.

2. Help from a number of teams and organizations is crucial.

In case you plan on asking for something from Congress, and even your native or state legislator, you had higher have ample help from a number of sources. With 1 in 5 adults and 1 in 6 youth experiencing a psychological well being situation in any given 12 months, psychological well being will have an effect on all people both instantly or not directly in some unspecified time in the future of their lives. Having this information makes the case that psychological well being care is a bipartisan situation, which has resulted in overwhelming help from each side. That help turns out to be useful when these asks are taken to Congress. Along with bipartisan help, Psychological Well being America used this chance to assemble like-minded companions and collaborators to tell the briefing. Growing the breadth and depth of the data, together with the various our bodies of illustration, strengthened our asks.

3. “Depart-behinds” present vital data and summaries.

Congressional briefings have a tendency to supply a lot data inside a brief interval, so it’s affordable to imagine a few of that data could also be glossed over or not retained. Staffers, liaisons, and others in attendance could must relay what they heard to a Congressperson or different employees, and also you need to ensure they hit the very important data. The aim of a leave-behind doc, or one-pager, is to make sure your viewers understands the message and may reference it as soon as the briefing ends. On this explicit briefing, we had six asks that included data on completely different acts, invoice proposals and calls to motion, all combined in with impactful tales of lived experiences from our panelists. Offering attendees with a brief, concise abstract of the focal factors ensures these with the ability and motivation to take motion have the right data to take action.

4. Invite the correct audio system, organizations, and different attendees.

In case you are internet hosting a briefing, or advocacy occasion, getting the phrase out to key people and organizations will go an extended method to strengthen your message and enhance the possibilities of asks being put into laws. With psychological well being being a priority for everybody, no matter their political affiliation or demographic profile, it stands to motive that almost all of us would need to see situations enhance. At this briefing session, the invite record included over 70 organizations who needed to be taught extra about or shared our ardour for peer help companies. We additionally invited specialists to share their lived expertise: Tiara Springer-Love, a psychological well being advocate from New York; Lauren Foster, a behavioral well being program supervisor at Blue Cross Blue Protect, Minnesota; Vesper Moore, a psychological well being advocate at Kiva Facilities; and Dana Foglesong of the Nationwide Affiliation of Peer Providers. By having panel specialists from varied corners of the psychological well being world, we may talk about the a number of limitations to implementation and potential options to enhancing entry. The big selection of attendees improved our possibilities of spreading that data all through teams and organizations to garner much more help. That is essential for objectives like growing funding for analysis and advocating for grants and help for neighborhood organizations that present peer help companies.

5. Congressional briefings are an excellent place to community and meet of us with comparable agendas.

In case you are attending a congressional briefing, it’s most likely as a result of you could have a vested curiosity in the subject material – together with the opposite attendees. Widespread pursuits make it the proper alternative to satisfy face-to-face with different individuals who share your ardour and may talk about options. A enterprise card is a should if you happen to plan to increase your skilled contact record. Moreover, introducing your self to panelists after the session is at all times a good suggestion. In any case, these audio system are specialists of their subject and have expertise in your space of curiosity.

In the end, my scary notion of congressional briefings at Capitol Hill was shattered, and I’ll attend extra ought to I get the prospect. I arrived feeling anxious and misplaced however left feeling supported and rejuvenated in being part of the answer. I additionally realized lots regardless of being well-versed within the topics. It helped to listen to accounts of lived experiences and understand that others care about and need to enhance psychological well being in our nation. Plus, the snacks they supplied had been wonderful. In case you get the prospect to attend a congressional, and even state authorities, briefing, take it.

Watch recording of congressional briefing

Makalynn Powell is the Peer and Youth Coverage Fellow at Psychological Well being America.