NYAPRS Note: Daniel Prude tragically faced the consequences of our broken behavioral health crisis system the day he was met and killed by police while experiencing a crisis. He would still be alive today if he had been met by the right responders. Every day someone is at risk of injury or death, just like Daniel Prude, because New York fails to implement an appropriate response system for behavioral health crises. Daniel’s Law, named after Prude, aims to finally change this by creating teams of EMTS and mental health experts to meet people in crisis and offer them appropriate services while treating them with dignity and compassion.
Budget negotiations are reaching the final stages and the legislature and governor’s office are currently deciding whether to include a Daniel’s Law Pilot program in this year’s state budget and we must make it clear to them we want and need this now! You can help by posting your support on social media. Below is a toolkit created by the Daniel’s Law Coalition you can utilize for posts advocating to the legislators and Governor Hochul. We must keep the pressure high, the lives of New Yorkers depend on getting a Daniel’s Law Pilot in the final budget!
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As we approach the close of budget negotiations, we must fight to ensure that the Daniel’s Law pilot is funded in the final budget. Time is running out, and we cannot afford to wait. Every day that passes without action is another day at risk. Let us honor Daniel’s memory by funding the Daniel’s Law pilot and working to ensure all individuals receive the support and care they need during a mental health crisis.
Objective: This social media toolkit aims to enable advocates to publicly show support for the funding and implementation of the Daniel’s Law pilot.
Target Audience: This toolkit is for individuals and organizations who want to advocate for mental health reform and social justice in New York State. This includes mental health advocates, community organizers, activists, lawmakers, and concerned citizens.
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Sample Tweets:
@GovKathyHochul As budget negotiations come to a close we call on you to allocate funding for the Daniel’s Law pilot program to ensure that we prioritize the safety and lives of our most vulnerable community members.
@GovKathyHochul With certainty, we can say that if Daniel’s Law existed on March 23,2020, Daniel Prude would still be alive today. Fund the Daniel’s Law pilot to ensure that New Yorkers have access to appropriate, person-centered care in times of crisis.
@AndreaSCousins We thank you for including funding for Daniel’s Law in the Senate One House budget. Please continue to hold the line and prioritize the care and safety of people experiencing mental health crises.
#FundDanielsLaw
@GovKathyHochul @AndreaSCousins @CarlHeastie A mental health crisis should not be a death sentence. Honor Daniel Prude’s memory and the Rochester community by funding the Daniel’s Law pilot program. #MentalHealthMatters #InvestInMentalHealth
@GovKathyHochul Funding the Daniel’s Law pilot will allow us to understand the feasibility and path to implementation. Please honor Daniel Prude’s memory and the Rochester community by funding the pilot program. #DanielsLawNY
@GovKathyHochul @CarlHeastie @AndreaSCousins The implementation of Daniel’s Law is the solution we need. Funding the Daniel’s Law pilot affirms the humanity of people living with mental health and substance use diagnoses. Daniel’s Law will save lives.
Budget Graphics:
Sample Social Media Posts:
The following posts can be used interchangeably with the social posts above.
Tweet: Funding #DanielsLawNY is a critical step towards protecting marginalized communities from police violence during mental health crises. Let’s invest in mental health support and crisis intervention, not policing. #MentalHealthMatters #JusticeForDanielPrude
Facebook Post: Daniel Prude’s death is a tragic reminder of the urgent need for mental health reform in our society. Funding #DanielsLawNY is crucial to ensuring that people experiencing mental health crises receive the support and care they need. Let’s invest in mental health, not policing. #InvestInMentalHealth #JusticeForDanielPrude.
Instagram Post: Daniel’s Law is a bill that honors the life of Daniel Prude and aims to create a safer, more just society for individuals experiencing mental health crises. Funding Daniel’s Law in the New York State Budget is critical to investing in mental health and crisis intervention, while also protecting marginalized communities from police violence. #DanielsLawNY #BlackLivesMatter #MentalHealthMatters #JusticeForDanielPrude.
The passage of Daniel’s Law is critical for investing in mental health support and crisis intervention in New York State. By raising awareness about this bill and its importance, we can work toward creating a more just and equitable society where all individuals receive the care and support they need to thrive. Together, let’s stand up for mental health reform and social justice.