Dear Supporters, Please read this very important, respectful, and informative "open letter" response to the NAMI President's recent letter discussing the "big tent" vs "small tent" NAMI philosophy https://mentalillnesspolicy.org/open-letter-to-nami-about-smi.html. D.J. Jaffe has posted this letter on his website with the following opening message: "The President of NAMI National, a good man dedicated to our cause, sent a letter to affiliates and state organizations suggesting that if NAMI National were to focus its efforts primarily on helping people with serious mental illness, as many affiliates and states still do–that that would create a smaller tent for NAMI, and make NAMI less effective than the broad-based mental-wellness type organization that it has morphed into. His letter was sent in light of the fact that four candidates for the NAMI board are running on the “Focus on Serious Mental Illness” ticket. I am one of the four. We were all told not to campaign, but because that letter was sent, I thought it important to clarify for you what we are actually proposing and why we think a clearer focus on the seriously ill is needed. Below is the letter I sent to the President of NAMI addressing these issues. Please feel free to share. Thank you. DJ Jaffe Author, Insane Consequences: How the Mental Health Industry Fails the Mentally Ill" I have also included a link to Dj's speech to NAMI so you can hear how he feels about NAMI and the need to refocus on SMI "in his own voice." Also, please see the following sample letter to the NAMI Stanislaus affiliate from one of my fellow California SMI advocates and a supporter of this petition: Tuesday, June 06, 2017 Dear NAMI Stanislaus Board Members, As you know the NAMI National election will take place prior to the National Convention in Washington, DC June 28 – July 1, 2017. https://nami.org/voting There are 5 candidates to be selected. I would like to submit my endorsements for the candidates I feel would best serve the seriously mentally ill: DJ Jaffe – He is a strong advocate for Laura’s Law and wants to see more action at the NAMI national level for our seriously mentally ill. He is the author of the highly acclaimed book “Insane Consequences – How the Mental Health Industry Fails the Mentally Ill.” He is extremely qualified for the task: Job Title or Position: Volunteer Executive Director until 2025 Employer: Mental Illness Policy Org. Previous NAMI Board of Directors Service: 1992-1995, 1995-1998 Here is the link to his campaign speech: https://www.nami.org/…/…/Meet-the-2017-Candidates/D-J-Jaffe… He is running on the “Focus on Serious Mental Illness” ticket along with the following candidates who I also endorse: Lauren Rettagliata https://www.nami.org/…/Meet-the-2017-Can…/Lauren-Rettagliata Mary Zdanowicz https://www.nami.org/…/Meet-the-2017-Candida…/Mary-Zdanowicz Rob Laitman https://www.nami.org/…/Meet-the-2017-C…/Robert-S-Laitman-M-D For my 5th endorsement, I would include Frankie Berger https://www.nami.org/…/Meet-the-2017-Candida…/Frankie-Berger Thank you for considering these candidates. I truly feel by electing these individuals we will be offering a stronger advocacy for the seriously mentally ill at the national level. Sincerely, Linda Mayo NAMI Stanislaus member & Laura’s Law Advocacy team member If you agree, please use Linda's letter as a template and send your letter today to your local NAMI affiliate and your state NAMI. To find your state and local affiliate, please go to the NAMI website here https://www.nami.org/ and scroll down to the "Find your local NAMI" section. Enter your state and click go. The contact information for your state affiliates will be displayed. Thank you all for your support and for all you do, Teresa