Join us for a virtual discussion.

Join us for a virtual peer-led discussion on prioritizing investment in community-led mental health care. Together, we will advocate for unlocked, non-carceral systems that emphasize dignity and rights. Let's challenge paradigms and reimagine California's mental health landscape with innovative, community-driven strategies.

ASL Interpreters Available

About the townhall:

The virtual discussion will serve as a platform for passionate advocates, mental health professionals, community leaders, and individuals directly impacted by mental health issues to join together and discuss crucial topics related to mental health care. Participants from various locations will be brought together by a common goal: to champion a paradigm shift towards community-centered mental health solutions. 

Community members have emphasized the urgency of dismantling restrictive settings and implementing unlocked, non-carceral systems that prioritize autonomy and dignity for individuals with mental health disabilities. Drawing attention to ongoing violations of the Olmstead Act, participants will highlight the moral imperative of fulfilling longstanding commitments to communities.

The conversation will:

• Acknowledge the pressing need to redirect resources towards community-based care models and away from traditional carceral approaches.
• Center on recognizing and honoring the inherent rights and dignity of every individual, regardless of their mental health status. Given the specific context of California's mental health landscape, the dialogue gains added significance.
• Center the voices of those directly impacted by mental health disparities.
• Invite participants to delve into the existing paradigms and funding structures, critically evaluating their efficacy in meeting the diverse needs of the population.
• Collectively call for a fundamental reevaluation of the state's approach, advocating for innovative, community-driven strategies that prioritize holistic wellness and empowerment over punitive measures.
• Uplift personal experiences and insights, which will serve as powerful reminders of the human toll of inadequate mental health care systems.
• End in a shared vision for a more compassionate and equitable future in mental health care.

Speakers:

Susan Gallagher, MPA |  Executive Director, Cal Voices

Susan has been the Executive Director of Cal Voices, the oldest peer run advocacy organization in California for over 27 years. She has been the driving force behind the growth and development, transforming the agency into a Statewide peer run organization. Her own personal lived experience with a mental health disorder undergirds the program development and strategic implementation of the agency’s core mission and vision. She has led the agency from a small local peer led nonprofit to a dynamic fiscally sound nonprofit with an annual budget of nearly $5 million. Susan has demonstrated proven success implementing both small and large-scale peer programming projects. Her leadership has been instrumental in ensuring California recognizes the civil rights and specific needs of behavioral health clients throughout its system of care. Her advocacy efforts focus on elevating the roles of those most impacted by behavioral health disorders in program and policy development.

Vanessa Ramos, Advisor, Investigations Unit, Disability Rights California

Vanessa, a Los Angeles drug war survivor, serves as an advisor in the Investigations Unit at Disability Rights California, California's Protection and Advocacy Agency. Her professional journey spans corporate, government, and non-profit sectors, drawing from personal experiences navigating ableist systems and her recovery journey. Vanessa focuses on community-defined actions, addressing issues like land theft, banishment of disabled individuals, and police violence. Trained in mindfulness practices like yoga and meditation through organizations like the Prison Yoga Project and the Peace Literacy Institute, she shares these tools across the state. Despite her impactful roles, Vanessa finds her greatest fulfillment as a mother. Based in Hollywood, CA, she cherishes inclusive art and green spaces, showcasing the creativity and power of disabled individuals.

For any reasonable accommodations during the event please send an email to Jenny Olson at jenny.olson@disabilityrightsca.org.