Help us crowdsource information and support one another during the COVID-19 crisis!
Families affected by severe mental illness share a special bond. You face struggles only known to those who are unlucky enough to encounter them. The COVID-19 pandemic impacts everyone, but it presents a host of unique challenges for families affected by SMI. Your loved ones may be without stable housing, or may be in institutional settings where the fear of viral spread is high. Due to the very symptoms of their illnesses, your loved ones may not be able to follow recommended safety protocols or to seek needed care if they develop symptoms.
What can you do? How do we support one another during this time of fear and uncertainty?
We at TAC believe that we can help by maintaining our sense of shared community. Through our work as advocates, we have met and partnered with inspiring people all over this country. Let’s use social media and the other tools at our disposal to keep building these networks and moving forward with our shared goals – and let’s really be here for one another during the difficult times to come.
Share your experiences, good, bad and ugly.
Your ordinary struggles as a family dealing with a loved one’s severe mental illness are made all the more difficult by the general public’s inability to relate. And now COVID-19 presents new challenges for those affected by SMI that few of us ever anticipated. We want to facilitate communication between TAC friends and fellow advocates, to share both obstacles we are experiencing and the hard-won successes.
Ask for support if you need it. Offer support if you can.
One of the truly special things about our supporters and fellow advocates is their steadfast readiness to help each other in difficult times. We know that during the current national emergency, some of us will find ourselves in need and others may be looking for a way to help the community.
-
Reach out – we are here. Though our team is working remotely we will do our best to find appropriate resources and to answer questions within our expertise. We may not always have the answer, but sometimes it helps just to be heard. Email [email protected].
-
Sign up to help out. If your situation is stable and you’re interested in supporting others in crisis in your area, let us know that you’re available as a local resource by signing up here. We will never share your contact information without your express permission.
Stay active as advocates!
We have been navigating the new realities of advocacy in a nation sheltering in place. We will continue to identify ways for our family advocates to continue the fight for those with SMI.
-
Keep supporting bills in your state. Legislatures have ground to a halt for all but COVID-19 emergency response. But a number of states had important bills pending that will be taken back up when sessions are reconvened. This is an excellent time to write letters or to prepare testimony to support these bills. If you wish to receive our new advocacy newsletter tracking priority legislation, please sign up here.
We understand this is a time of uncertainty and has added an unexpected strain on many of you. We are resilient community and we will get through this together.
-The Treatment Advocacy Center Team
