Take the lead

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Take the lead ✩

Make a difference

What is advocacy?

Advocacy is the ongoing effort to support others, speak out, and take action to bring about positive change. It means standing up for individuals and communities who face stigma, limited access to care, or systemic barriers. Mental health advocacy involves protecting rights, promoting inclusion, and ensuring access to mental health care.

Mental health affects everyone, but many face barriers to care or fail to recognize mental health as part of healthcare altogether. Advocacy helps overcome these barriers and raise awareness around mental health issues and needs. Change starts with those brave enough to speak up and gains momentum as people join.

Why advocate?

“You may never know what results come from your action. But if you do nothing, there will be no result.”
— Ghandi
“Advocacy is empathy, compassion, and community at work.”
— Janna Cachola

Get started

Ready to make a difference? Explore ways to advocate for mental health—volunteer, donate, or get involved in your community. Whether you're giving your time, resources, or voice, your involvement helps ensure vital resources reach those in need. Every effort, big and small, creates meaningful change.

  • Volunteer on the NAMI HelpLine: Click here to apply or call 800-950-NAMI

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    Become a Certified Crisis Line Counselor to support survivors of sexual assault and human trafficking at Verity. Learn more here.

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    Submit an application to volunteer at the Jewish Community Free Clinic here.

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    Learn here how the Trevor Project’s Volunteer Crisis Counselor Role prevents suicide prevention and crisis intervention counseling specialized to support young LGBTQ+ people.

  • If you cannot donate your time right now, consider supporting mental health initiatives by donating funds.

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    Support NAMI education and training efforts here.

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    Support LifeWorks with a tax-deductible donation to provide mental health services for individuals, families, and children in Sonoma County. Click here.

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    Help those facing substance use disorder by aiding Buckelew Programs. Donate here via vehicle donation, memorial giving, or employer matching to fund vital mental health and recovery services in the North Bay.

  • Policymakers influence mental healthcare in your community—learn quick tips here how to educate and engage for better support.

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    Make sure your voice is heard—VOTE! Explore current elections and your voter registration status here at the California The Secretary of State's office.

Giving FAQs

  • Not at all. You do not need formal experience to be a mental health advocate. You don’t need formal training, a degree, or a job title to be an advocate. You don’t need to be an expert—you just need to care enough to take action. It's about learning as you go and using your voice for good.

  • It’s completely normal to wonder if what you’re doing is making a difference, especially when change feels bigger than you or slow moving. The truth is every effort matters. Even if it feels small, your voice can make someone feel seen, encourage someone to seek help or challenge a harmful belief. Change doesn’t always happen overnight. Someone out there may need exactly what you have to give.

  • Advocacy can be part of your everyday life. You can educate yourself and others to help reduce stigma, speak up online by sharing campaigns or resources, and support those around you by checking in and encouraging open conversations. Advocacy also means challenging harmful language, normalizing mental health care, volunteering your time or skills. It evens includes creating or sharing art that about lived experiences. Whether you’re pushing for change in your school, workplace, or community, every action helps.