Do you have a story to share? Or an idea to share?
We'd love to hear from you!
Share your Story...
Dear Readers,
If you are a person who uses services and have been on an “advisory” committee or been invited to a meeting because you were a peer who could share your perspective, please tell us about your experience, good or bad.
Below are two examples from members of our steering committee.
Please limit your response to 300 words.
Thank you!
Read Sample Stories Below:
#1
On November 18, 2022, I was invited to meeting by the Albany County Commissioner of the Department of Mental Health to be part of planning a “Zero Suicide Approach” for the county. The invite went to several major stakeholders from healthcare systems, law enforcement, educational institutions, insurance providers, and agencies across the county. It was an engaging, robust, and eye-opening conversation but I was already familiar with the national Zero Suicide initiative and efforts to build this model across the country. What was most interesting about the meeting was I was the only one there speaking of and representing the lived experience of suicide and the ways in which healthcare systems and providers are challenged working with and serving people experiencing crises that can lead to mental health challenges and self-harm. I tried to be as respectful in my talking points because I didn’t want anyone feeling attacked but I needed them to understand how painfully frustrating and disconnected people in crises are from these systems and providers. I made known how the voices of people with lived and living experiences cannot be left out of the effort because a lot of the language, service models, and treatment modalities leave people hurting more than helping to alleviate. I’m sharing this because, our Seat at the Table and Person-Centered Mental Health Services initiative highlights so many of the inadequacies and injustices in these systems and how leaders across the state are looking for meaningful and effective solutions. With me at the table, we’ll have more critical allies in key positions for our efforts here. Brett Scudder
#2
On November 16, 2022, I attended the NYC DSS' inaugural Poverty and Homelessness Conference. They changed locations at the last minute. It was... interesting. The Mayor and the city like to control who is going to say what. For instance, all three panels were in agreement on blaming past administrations and outdated technology so we need to acknowledge new tech will fix things--and look, the new administration is listening to peers! The panel of peers did mention having more peers in place as we have experience we can share...but I think the response was like "look, we're here now, there's 5 of us" versus moving forward on long term solutions. I was trying not to get kicked out so I could gather intel for agencies *not* invited. I mostly kept quiet otherwise the undercover cops surrounding us in the audience would have escorted me out very fast. Katrina “Kat” Corbell
Share your Solution...
Do you know of a collaborative approach with peers and providers that has produced innovative and effective services? If so, please share your knowledge and experience to help us build a body of evidence showing that excellent programs can be created if the right people are at the table and if their advice and insights are used to design solutions.
One example of an innovative program is the Youth Mental Health Continuum, which connects young people with mental health issues to services. The program is designed to break the school-to-prison pipeline experienced by far too many Brown and Black children, especially boys, who disproportionately fall behind in school and are left with minimal skills and opportunities for meaningful work.