Below is a summary of recent developments and compelling news stories from across the country highlighting America's broken mental health treatment system and how to fix it.
Welcoming New Executive Director Lisa Dailey
We proudly announced Lisa Dailey as our new executive director on September 1. Leveraging the public’s heightened understanding of mental health as a public health priority, Dailey plans to build on the Treatment Advocacy Center’s impressive impact by increasing the organization's public education efforts and expanding its grassroots advocacy to empower more individuals to advocate for improved mental illness treatment laws across the country.
“Thanks to the work of my talented colleagues, Treatment Advocacy Center is the premier source of information and advocacy regarding severe mental illness,” said Executive Director Lisa Dailey. “I am deeply honored that the Board of Directors has entrusted me with the responsibility of leading this organization during this unprecedented time in our country, when mental health has never been a more urgent priority.” Read the full press release on our website, here.
Introducing Executive Director Lisa Dailey
The Chronicle of Philanthropy highlighted Treatment Advocacy Center Director of Advocacy Lisa Dailey’s promotion to executive director in a newsletter about new nonprofit CEOs. Read more here.
A Warm Welcome from a Prominent Mental Health Advocate
Executive Director Lisa Dailey was highlighted in journalist and mental health advocate Pete Earley's blog about becoming Treatment Advocacy Center's new executive director. He mentions their work together on criminal justice reform to aid individuals with SMI who are languishing in jails and prisons. Read more here.
Treatment Advocacy Center in the News
New AOT Pilot Programs in Five Pennsylvania Counties
Treatment Advocacy Center's advocacy for assisted outpatient treatment was mentioned in an article about the first five counties in Pennsylvania to pilot AOT programs since the state’s AOT law was passed in 2018. Read more here.
RESEARCH WEEKLY: August 2021 Recap
COVID-19 Vaccination for People with Severe Mental Illness: An International Survey
The Office of Research and Public Affairs published a new about COVID-19 vaccinations for people with SMI September 8. The report finds that while there are significant barriers to receiving the COVID-19 vaccine for people living with severe mental illness, targeted outreach and engagement in community settings leads to significantly higher vaccination rates and increased safety for this population. People with severe mental illness have a high risk of death from COVID-19 and the results of the research shows that community investment led to higher estimated rates of vaccination compared to the general public. Read the press release here and the full report here.
