Advocacy Corner
As we move, post-election, into 2025, it is a great time to turn attention to our state legislatures. Most states begin their legislative sessions in January. Even before the recent election, many challenging issues (e.g., reproductive rights) were handled at the state instead of the federal level, which is projected to continue. Thus, while we will all be impacted by what happens federally, in many cases, the most direct impact will be from our states. It is essential for us to be involved at the state level to impact the laws nearest to us and our patients.
The easiest way to get involved in state legislative advocacy for psychology is to join your state psychological association. Typically, state associations hold a professional day at your state capitol, where you can speak to legislators with a group of your peers and advocate on current bills. You may also be able to write emails and/or make phone calls to legislators, write testimony, or testify in a public hearing.
Further, having a basic understanding of the legislative session and process is beneficial. This website provides an overview of each state’s important legislative dates. This fun video briefly reviews how a bill becomes law (and it’s not the Schoolhouse Rock version J). The video is a review of the process in the United States Congress but is essentially how most state legislatures work. The only exception is Nebraska, a unicameral rather than a bicameral legislature. Also, every state legislature has a website that provides specifics on that state’s processes and other helpful information.
Lastly, if the idea of legislative advocacy currently feels overwhelming or exhausting, that is understandable. Self-care is just as crucial to advocacy as it is in our other roles, so please rest if that is what you need. However, please don’t give up. Advocacy is the primary mechanism by which change and progress occur. We are some of the most educated people on the planet, and far too many children need us to use that privilege of knowledge to help and protect them. Every little piece of advocacy counts, what you bring to it matters, and it is needed.
Amy R. Beck, PhD, RYT 200