Dear John,

My brother first started showing symptoms of severe mental illness in high school, devolving from a standout student and star running back to a withdrawn and often catatonic patient. He has lived through numerous preventable tragedies, including homelessness. Currently, in a state mental hospital in Georgia, he requires 24-hour eyeline care.

For Black families and other families of color, keeping our loved ones safe involves additional challenges. As Treatment Advocacy Center’s first DJ Jaffe advocate, I explore this head on by combining grassroots advocacy with the calling out and dismantling of racial and cultural barriers to treatment.

Support Treatment Advocacy Center and our intersectional approach to SMI today with a generous donation toward our $150,000 goal.

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SMI may not discriminate in who it affects, but the people and systems we entrust with our care do. To fix our broken system, we must listen to and attend to the unique challenges facing families of color. These stories, like the ones I’m compiling in a soon-to-be-released podcast series, are powerful.

When we listen to the unique struggles and challenges faced by families of color, we develop stronger and more comprehensive solutions to the problems facing people with SMI. A rising tide lifts all boats.

Donate today to support this necessary work. Your donation fuels the research, services and advocacy that my family — and yours — depend on.

Sincerely,