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Who of us understands what it means to need something that is beyond our grasp? Suffering from a mental illness can leave a person unable to meet their basic daily needs, let alone face the daunting challenge of combating the stigma of mental illness. Equally important, pressuring our political leaders and policymakers to make effective treatment and sustainable recovery more accessible to consumers is necessary for consumers to achieve lifelong wellness.

To challenge many thousands of years worth of ignorance and misunderstanding and make our voices heard, we, as consumers, family members, mental health providers, and citizens, must join together and begin to work as a single force towards the numerous issues and concerns that join us together. Only together can we bring within our grasp government policies that promote mental wellness and bring recovery to the large population of consumers within our state, and beyond that, our nation.

As a student of political science, a campaign volunteer, and a legislative intern, I am familiar with the power of political action. Coordinated and sustained pressure must be brought to bare on government in order to secure gains, such as mental health parity, expanded treatment options for those suffering from mental and addictive illnesses, and a Bill of Rights for both consumers and family members, to name a few. Perhaps the most important task before us is forcing policymakers and elected officials to view universal access to effective treatment as a non-negotiable budgetary priority. For example, when the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities is operating under a 1996 budget, the need for us to join together and strategically pursue our common interests is essential.

How do we begin to fulfill the overwhelming needs that might seem beyond our grasp at times? Dialogue and cooperation among vested parties are essential in our pursuit of common interests. Such cooperation and engagement is beneficial to consumers, family members, providers, and all people who desire justice for those who presently have no voice. Even when we do not agree on every issue, it is in our common interest to work together. Unity, perseverance, and large numbers of politically active citizens can rise up together, a whirlwind force, bringing hope within our grasp.

Thaddeus H Jablonski