“Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring those ripples build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance. “ JFK, 1966 Affirmation Day, South Africa Dear Supporters, I love someone with a serious mental illness so I appreciate Mary Giliberti’s most recent blog and her call for unity and encouragement of NAMI’s grassroots advocacy efforts “…on behalf of people who live with mental illness particularly those with the most serious conditions.” She refers to advocacy being at “…the core of NAMI’s mission” because “…it is one of the best ways we can address the systematic injustices and disparities that people with mental illness and their families face every day. - See more at: https://www.nami.org/Blogs/From-the-CEO/June-2017/NAMI-and-Advocacy-Staying-United-in-the-Face-of-C Like many NAMI members, I am an “accidental advocate.” I am committed to justice for all and I loathe all health disparities. I almost can't breathe when I see the depth of discrimination and suffering of so many people living with any “mental health condition.” But, I contend that serious mental illness is the single greatest health disparity for all races, ethnicities, genders and sexual orientations. It is a bipartisan disease of the brain that afflicts all ages and socioeconomic levels. And, it is a health disparity based on existing legal discriminatory laws, policies and budgets. That is unacceptable and it must end. NAMI must do more to end the current dignity competition and territorial disputes between its members. While we are debating different priorities and levels of humanity, too many people are suffering. I often wonder how families like mine manage to survive. Sadly, many don’t. I suppose that those who do survive live on a vision of hope that one day our loved ones and families will be seen and heard. We imagine a power balance where we can rebuild trust and co-create a system of care with shared values and agendas. We dream big and bold because our children are dying, sometimes alone in a jail cell, under a bridge and often too young. While one of our main purposes of this petition is to forge an authentic partnership with NAMI, we are not there yet. While the currents of change are in process there is still more work to do. So that means that those of us who signed this petition must continue with a laser sharp focused effort to unite all advocates on the need for NAMI to prioritize the families and people living with serious mental illnesses. Unity can only come when we ALL accept the unacceptable and focus on serious mental illness system reform. There have been multiple updates on this petition regarding the upcoming NAMI Board of Directors election. Additionally, there have been multiple letters, emails and blog posts, and Facebook posts regarding the election and the big Tent/small Tent “controversy.” One of my favorite advocates and devoted NAMI member, G.G. Burns posted her thoughts on this blog: http://changementalhealthlawsinky.blogspot.com/2017/06/open-letter-to-namis-board-president.html Like many of us, GG wants to be heard by NAMI National and wants to return NAMI to its roots. Pete Earley, another of my favorite advocates, also posted an important blog last week on the need to make our voices heard before, during and after the NAMI Board Convention: http://www.peteearley.com/2017/06/15/questions-about-virginias-national-nami-board-candidate-smart-and-independent/ I agree with Pete that we must educate ourselves about all of the candidates and make our voices heard. Another one of my favorite advocates, Liza Long, spoke up last week when she posted a comment on her Facebook page. Liza said, “I have volunteered my time and donated my money to NAMI because I believed we could work for change from within and return the organization to a focus on serious mental illness instead of "mental health conditions." But I'm not going to lie: my experience with NAMI has disheartened and demoralized me so much that I've considered leaving advocacy work. As Ron Powers says, "No one cares about crazy people," not even, unfortunately, an organization founded to advocate for those with serious mental illness and their families. I don't agree with DJ Jaffe on everything, but his recent book, Insane Consequences, highlights just how organizations like NAMI have become part of the problem instead of stakeholders in solutions. Please read DJ's letter and share it if, like me, you want to return NAMI to its roots.” I am grateful that both Ron Powers and Dj will be attending the NAMI Convention to share their experiences and perspectives with NAMI members and Congressional members. And, I hope NAMI does not lose Liza’s powerful voice and balanced perspective. We can all bring focused solutions to the NAMI table and tent. The supporters of this petition have put their stake in the ground and expect change regardless of who is elected to the NAMI Board of Directors. We are all good people who are willing to negotiate but we will not capitulate. There is no settling until we win a right to treatment before tragedy for our SMI loved ones. Our constancy of purpose is clear. We want NAMI to hear us and see us all. We want to overcome the greatest health disparities, together. But, with or without NAMI, we SHALL overcome, someday.