Check out our 2021-2024 Strategic Plan!

Advocacy

NAMI's role as an advocate can take various forms: public policy, support for research, advisory for legislative action, support groups, etc.  A core responsibility is for NAMI to listen and support the challenges families face in seeking help for their loved ones.

Why Advocate?
  • Feedback is needed 
  • Our collective wisdom and experiences have value
  • Our voice matters
  • If not NAMI, then who?​​
​
​We will work with our community, elected officials, partners and providers to advocate for the following:
  • More beds and services at all levels, from crisis locked care to supported independent housing.
  • More services for youth including hospitalization capacity, outpatient services and mental health support in schools.
  • Reduction of stigma and discrimination through community education leading to neighborhood acceptance of mental health housing.
  • True insurance parity and more treatment options for private payers.
  • More employment and socialization opportunities for peers.
  • Provider practices that include the whole family in treatment planning and ongoing support.
  • Hiring a Family Advocate within County Behavioral Health management.
  • More services to support diversion from the criminal justice system including expansion of crisis residential capacity, wrap-around programs, more mental health liaisons to accompany law enforcement, consistent practice of linking clients to mental health resources after booking/jail discharge, improved psychiatric services in the jail, and creation of a triage center.
  • Legislative changes at the national and state levels.​
Advocacy Calendar
Monday, November 16th, 2020, Zoom 1:00pm-5:00pm
Mental Health Crisis Response City Council Study Session
Presented by: CAHOOTS
This study session will provide information on a number of mental health response programs that exist in the City, County and participants will receive a presentation on the CAHOOTS program which has gained a lot of attention over the past few months. Please check the City's website for more information.
Watch NAMI-SCC's presentation with CAHOOTS by clicking HERE​

Wednesday, July 15, 2020, Zoom
Special Needs Trusts
Presented by: Ellen Cookman, J.D., L.L.M, Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law 

Wednesday, May 20, 2020, Zoom
Mental Health First Aid for COVID-19
Presented by: Debra Sloss, LMFT and host of KSQD's State of Mind, Kara Bowman, LMFT, and Anastasia Baboulevitch, NAMI-SCC's Program Manager
You can find the resources mentioned here:
https://ksqd.org/state-of-mind-state-of-mind-mental-health-first-aid-for-covid-19-17/

Wednesday, January 15, 2020
Ask the Pharmacist
​Presented by: Azita Alipour, PharmD, BCPP, BCGP, Assistant Professor of Psychiatric Pharmacy at Marshall B. Ketchum University, College of Pharmacy
Ask the Pharmacist
File Size: 4298 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
Wednesday, November 20, 2019
Dr. Thomas Insel,  Mental Health Advisor to Governor Newsom 
​Talk with the Mental Health Advisor for California
 Dr. Thomas Insel,  Mental Health Advisor to Governor Newsom 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sM7FabR9MoM


​Wednesday, September 18, 2019
Ask the Doctor: Updates on Schizophrenia
​Presented by: Dr. Matthew Lilly, Lead Psychiatrist for Psynergy Programs, Inc.
Schizophrenia: An Overview
File Size: 14080 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
Wednesday, July 17, 2019
The State of Suicide Prevention: Local resources and strategies to support ourselves and one another
Presented by: Carly Memoli, Program Director, Suicide Prevention Service and 
Molly Touse, Program Coordinator, Suicide Prevention Service
Learn more at: https://fsa-cc.org/suicide-prevention-service/
Wednesday, May 15, 2019
 Advances in Depression Treatment
Presented by: Dr. Saad Shakir, Psychiatrist
​Learn more at: www.siliconvalleytms.com

Crisis Care
NAMI SCC Task Force Report
Review of Acute Crisis Services Provided in Santa Cruz County 
October 2017
namiscc_task_force_report_on_crisis_care.pdf
File Size: 651 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Advocating for Better Crisis Care
Carol Williamson and Michael Fitzgerald presentation on how to advocate for better Crisis Care.  The steps taken could be used for most advocacy efforts.  Powerpoint includes Strategy and Process.
advocating_for_crisis_care.pdf
File Size: 81 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Act 4 Mental
​Health
Too often, mental health does not get the attention and resources it deserves. Now, with the combination of a global pandemic, economic downturn, and growing public attention to racial inequalities, people are struggling more than ever.
Tell your U.S. Senators to invest in mental health in future COVID-19 legislation. We can’t wait – we need action now.

Click to learn more about NAMI's priorities and take action.