Death Penalty and People with Mental Illness

Advocacy Strategies:

  • Contact (write, e-mail, fax, and/or call) the state Governor and Chair of the state Board of Pardons and Parole asking for clemency and urge them to commute an execution to life in prison.
  • Send a news release to local media outlets.
  • Organize your own letter writing campaign by providing other organizations with a sample letter and press release.
  • Contact and partner with your local Amnesty International Chapter to coordinate your advocacy efforts.
    • If applicable, contact the defendant’s lawyer to sign onto an amicus brief.
    • Track cases that present this issue and urge decision makers to re-examine these cases.
    • Advocate for action on preventative measures such as making treatment alternatives more readily available.

For more information on how to use the resources provided, contact:

National Mental Health Association
Phone: 800/969-NMHA
TTY Line: 800/433-5959
Email: infoctr@nmha.org

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Resources
NMHA Position Statement
Advocacy Strategies

Juveniles
Issue Brief
Case Study
Talking Points
Sample Letter
Sample News Release

Adults with Mental Illness
Issue Brief
Case Study
Talking Points
Sample Letter
Sample News Release