As part of our ongoing efforts to raise awareness on Capitol Hill and in local communities regarding the critical need for mental and behavioral health services, we are seeking your help in trying to get letters placed in the Op-Ed section of your local newspapers. The purpose is to applaud Congress for passing the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act, a major first step in addressing the serious need for psychological services on our nation's college campuses.

We are delighted to report success in the placement of op-ed letters regarding the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act (GLSMA). Articles have appeared in the Florida Gainesville Sun and the Missouri Columbia Tribune, as well as the Columbia Missourian and the Marin Independent Jounal.

BRAVO to Kathleen Boggs, Director of the University of Missouri-Columbia Counseling Center, Jaquie Resnick, Director of the University of Florida Counseling Center, and Stephen Pfeiffer, Executive Director of the Association for the Advancement of Psychology, for taking time from their busy schedules to submit these letters to their local papers...and KUDOS for their success!

WHY IS THIS SO IMPORTANT? We are seeking ways in which to gain increased support for our advocacy initiatives. One strategy is through the placement of op-ed letters in local newspapers. Since all congressional offices subscribe to a clipping service, a letter related to congressional action (especially one that applauds their efforts) will certainly be picked up and brought to the attention of the member. We will then follow-up with hill visits.

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO? Please personalize the attached Sample Op-Ed letter and send it to as many of your local newspapers as is possible. Op-Ed Tips are provided below:

OP-ED TIPS: Specific information (requirements) about op-ed letters is usually listed inside each newspaper or available on their website. However, some general rules include: Keep the letter brief (500-600 words); Try to connect it with something that has been in the local or national news (e.g., rise in substance abuse, violence, suicide); Include your FULL contact information (name, phone number, email), in case they need to contact you for clarification about something. Finally, don't underestimate the value of your local (small circulation) newspapers. It is often easier to get something placed in hometown newspapers than in the larger papers (e.g., Washington Post or New York Times).

WE NEED FEEDBACK: Please send us a copy of your op-ed letter; AND be sure to let us know if you succeed in getting it into any of your local papers. If you do, please make a copy of it and mail to Amanda Ring at the APA Public Policy Office (750 First Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242).

Please contact Amanda Ring if you have any questions.

Click Here for a Sample Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act Op Ed Letter

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