Death Penalty and People with Mental Illness

The National Mental Health Association (NMHA) opposes the use of the death penalty as a form of punishment for individuals with mental illness and for those who committed their crime while under age 18.

To aid advocates in responding to and preventing these unjust executions, NMHA has created this Justice for Death Row Inmates Resource Center. Advocacy materials include:

  • NMHA’s position statement on the death penalty;
  • Advocacy strategies for local efforts
  • Issue briefs that provide background information and case studies;
  • Talking points;
  • Sample letters to a Governor and Members of Boards of Pardon and Parole; and
  • Sample press releases.

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

In providing these materials we are enabling our affiliates to respond in a timely way to death row cases through letter-writing campaigns and media outreach. By providing this Justice for Death Row Inmates Resource Kit, NMHA seeks to offer its affiliates and other advocates with important tools to empower and inform their advocacy efforts specific to death penalty cases.

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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