Leslie Carpenter: Breaking the Mental Health Crisis Cycle

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Leslie Carpenter, co-founder of Iowa Mental Health Advocacy and Legislative Advocacy Manager at the Treatment Advocacy Center, shares her journey from concerned mother to dedicated mental health advocate after her son was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder 19 years ago.

She discusses the barriers families face when seeking help for loved ones with severe mental illness and her multi-level approach to creating systemic change.

• Leslie advocates at both state and national levels, tracking legislation across all 50 states

• Mental health reform requires community-based collaboration, state-level policy changes, and federal action

• Creating empathy for those with severe mental illness requires sharing stories and humanizing affected individuals

• Current laws often prevent intervention until someone becomes dangerous, causing unnecessary suffering

• Progress is happening with Crisis Intervention Team training for police and mental health courts

• First responders, including 911 operators, need specialized training to properly handle mental health crises

• The 988 crisis line offers an alternative to 911 for mental health emergencies

• Hope is crucial - people with severe mental illness can attend college, build careers, and lead fulfilling lives with proper treatment

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