Promoting mental health awareness, increasing access and reducing stigma are important advocacy issues. This presentation will provide strategies (e.g., programming, advertising, fundraising, connecting with community leaders) to start and sustain a volunteer led non-profit mental health advocacy organization. Based upon the work of a successful community advocacy group - State of Mind: Hudson, participants will learn creative and practical interventions (e.g., community workshops, small group discussions, events, awareness initiatives) to address needs in a community.