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Engaging Your MP for Mental Health Support

Learn how to effectively engage your MP to advocate for mental health support. Discover government responsibilities, contact details, addressing etiquette, content suggestions, and wider campaign strategies. Your effort can make a difference!

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Engaging Your MP for Mental Health Support

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  1. HOW TO ENGAGE YOUR MP Rob Knowles President MIFV

  2. Responsibilities of Government • Federal Government : • Taxation • Medical Benefits Scheme [GP’s] • Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme • Social Security • Employment Services • Private Health Insurance • National Health and Medical Research Council

  3. Responsibilities of Government • Victorian Government: • Public Hospitals • Mental Health Services • Public Housing • Professional Registration Boards • Local Government: • Home and Community Care • Rates and Planning Issues

  4. Parliament: Your Representatives • Australian: comprising • Senate 12 Senators • House of Representatives 1 Member • Victorian: comprising • Legislative Council 2 MLC • Legislative Assembly 1 MP • Municipality • at least 1 Councillor

  5. How do we contact them? • Each MP has an Electorate office, Staff and Telephone • Councillors can be contacted through the local Municipal Office • You can write, telephone, or visit generally through an appointment

  6. How do we address them? • Verbal: • Mr, Ms, Mrs, Senator • Councillor • Written: • Ministers The Hon John Smith MP Minister for Health Senator the Hon Mary Smith Minister for Health

  7. How do we address them?cont’d • Letter addressed Dear Minister, • MP’s Mr John Smith MP The Hon John Smith MP Dear Mr Smith

  8. Content • Remember: MP’s are there to represent your interests to the Minister, the Government and/or the Department • Do not assume they know about or understand mental illnesses • Personalise your letter • Be clear what it is you want them to do • Request a response

  9. Content cont’d • Follow up if no reply or reply unsatisfactory • If outcome is good write a note of thanks • Write to local newspaper but make sure it is localised • Seek to engage others, friends, neighbours, fellow workers, etc

  10. The wider campaign • Parliamentary Friends of Schizophrenia • MIFA’s Strategy • Lobby Ministers and Shadow Ministers • Use talkback radio, daily papers etc • Copy your letters and replies to MIFV

  11. Conclusion • Your effort does make a difference and it is a worthy cause. • Other consumers and their families are depending on you!

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