Mental Health Policy Initiative

Email Template for Contacting Your Representative

Writing to an elected official can feel intimidating — but it shouldn’t be.
Your email doesn’t need to be long, complicated, or perfect.
It only needs to be **true**, **clear**, and **human**.

This template gives you the structure and strength to speak directly to the people who represent you.
Use it as written or customize it to reflect your own experiences.

Your voice is powerful.
Your story is powerful.
And together, our words create momentum that cannot be ignored.

### EMAIL TEMPLATE

Subject: Supporting Mental Health as Essential Healthcare

Dear [Representative/Senator/Decision-Maker Name],

My name is ________, and I live in ________.

I’m writing because mental illness continues to be treated differently than physical illness — socially, medically, and legally — even though both impact the lives of people across every community.

I am asking you to support policies that:

• Protect individuals with mental illness from discrimination
• Expand access to affordable, trauma-informed, culturally competent care
• Treat mental health services as essential healthcare
• Increase funding for prevention and early intervention programs

Mental illness ≠ weakness.
It is a human experience, not a personal failure.

These policies save lives, strengthen communities, and reduce long-term healthcare burdens.
Please make mental health a priority in your current and future decisions.

Thank you for your leadership and your time.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]