The Congressional Advocacy Network is APA's political grassroots network – our advocates connect and build relationships with members of Congress to ensure that legislation is informed by constituent psychiatrists. Advocates also serve as key contacts for their members of Congress, so that when an important issue arises, APA can quickly get its message to members of Congress.

Responsibilities of a Congressional Advocate:

• Represent the views of psychiatry to elected federal officials
• Develop personal, constituent relationships with your representative and/or senators
• Stay up to date on pending legislation and be prepared to discuss its impact on psychiatry, your patients and the local community

As a Congressional Advocate, you:

• Will be given tools to effectively advocate on issues impacting psychiatry
• Meet with your members of Congress in an official capacity
• Build relationships by serving on campaign healthcare advisory boards, or potentially attending fundraising events on behalf of APA

Our goal is to help empower YOU to increase psychiatry’s political impact. 

As a part of our Congressional Advocacy Network, you will be equipped to develop personal relationships with members of Congress so they better understand the issues facing your practice, the patients you serve, and their families. APA’s Department of Government Relations will assist in all stages of this relationship-building effort and careful measures will be taken to ensure all Congressional Advocates are educated in the applicable state and federal election law