The Ohio Association of County Behavioral Health Authorities (OACBHA) has a Legislative Advocacy page with resources to help practitioners, clinicians, and other professionals in the mental health field shape public policy.
The resources can be useful to consumers and community members as well, with tips like:

 

• how to build a relationship with your legislator
• how legislation is introduced and becomes law in Ohio, or
• how to testify to a legislative committee.

 

Local groups often advocate for the needs of people with mental illness as well, like the Advocacy Committee of NAMI of Lorain County. http://nami-lc.org/advocacy/