
Let us end the crisis on mental health disease! Our united voices are strong, so let your legislators hear from you. Remember, We are their voices. Together, we can make a difference!
To find your US legislators’ contact information from the House of Representatives and from the Senate, click on the following links.
https://www.house.gov/representatives
https://www.senate.gov/senators/senators-contact.htm
To find your state legislators’ contact information, click on the following link.
https://openstates.org/find_your_legislator/
The following is a sample letter you may use. To download a copy, please click on the download button at the bottom of the page. This letter may be used “as is” or you may personalize as you wish.
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Sample Letter for Your Use:
Dear ______________________________,
My name is ______________________________, and I live in your district (if letter is for representative) or state (if letter is for senator). I’m writing to ask for the opportunity to speak with you to request an increase in funding for research in the areas of mental health conditions and suicide.
I’ve recently become aware of a coalition, “Cure Brain Disease”, whose mission is to advocate to increase funding for curing mental health diseases using cutting edge genetic and epigenetic research. Their vision is to accelerate research in early diagnoses of ‘high risk’ mental health conditions and to develop novel targeted ‘curative’ therapies that are based on the molecular causes of these brain diseases. They advocate to develop tests for mental health conditions and to develop therapies based on the potential targets identified.
Studies have been conducted to determine if there is a gene or number of genetic variations (SNPs) that may carry a predisposition to certain mental health conditions and suicide. In addition, studies have indicated that there are various biomarkers for certain mental health conditions and suicidal behaviors. These studies point to a genetic link to the predisposition of mental health diseases.
With this in mind, we can hopefully find cures. However, we must have more funding to carry out research. Mental health professionals are working with only limited knowledge at this time.
THE AMERICAN PSYCHIATRIC ASSOCIATION reports ” 50% of mental illness begins by age 14 and three quarters begin by age 24. https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/warning-signs-of-mental-illness
Being that mental health conditions may begin in early childhood, early diagnosis is of paramount importance. With curative therapies, these brain diseases could hopefully be stopped before advancing to serious and sometimes life-threatening levels.
THE MAYO CLINIC STUDY REPORTS the deadliness of attempted suicide has been dramatically underestimated. https://www.mayoclinic.org/medical-professionals/psychiatry-psychology/news/deadliness-of-attempted-suicide-has-been-dramatically-underestimated/mac-20429739
As we all know, Covid has heightened the mental health concerns in young people. It’s estimated that we will see more suicide attempts and suicides due to the effects of Covid.
The WHO has predicted that depression will be the biggest burden on health by the year 2030, and the U.S. Surgeon General has issued a new Surgeon General’s Advisory highlighting the urgent need to address the nation’s youth mental health crisis. We are clearly in the midst of a mental health crisis.
There is so much we could accomplish to help those suffering from a mental health condition and to reduce suicide in this country. I, along with members from “Cure Brain Disease” would appreciate the opportunity to meet with you. We would be available either in person, via zoom, or a telephone call. Please let me know of your availability.
In closing, I want to say that what we need is a “Moonshot for Mental Health“, like we had for cancer research fifty years ago! Thank you so much for your time. I look forward to hearing from you.
Regards,
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