Mental Health Advocacy – This is what I sent today (w/bonus requests)

Dear Senator Booker, 

I’m writing to you as both a concerned New Jerseyan and American. I chose to write to you because you have inspired and touched me. When you spoke at this past Democratic Convention I was brought to tears. You seem to have a combination of admirable passion, caring, respectability, and effectiveness. I believe you make a great difference for New Jerseyans and all Americans, and can make an even bigger one in the future. 

I am a woman with a serious mental illness (bipolar disorder). I have been on disability for about six years plus struggling with my illness. Despite that, I’ve donated time (when able) and money (what I could) to organizations like the National Alliance on Mental Illness and Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance that provide support to the mentally ill, do advocacy work, and fight to end mental illness stigma. I can only give so…