We are a grieving family who lost our precious Marc a much loved Son, Brother, Husband and Uncle to the dual demons of depression and addictions. Despite desperate pleas for help, our concerns were dismissed by our family doctor. Marc was an adult, they said, capable of making his own decisions but those decisions led him down a path of self destruction that ended in tragedy.

Sadly our story is not unique. Every year thousands of families watch helplessly as their loved ones succumb to the Ravages of mental health and addiction issues.

Depression  and addiction are not choices, they are illnesses that cloud judgement and impair decision making abilities. The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that about half of people who experience mental illness will also experience substance abuse at some point in their lives (NIDA).

This is a crisis affecting millions The World Health Organization estimates that nearly One Million People Die due to suicide every year worldwide-A Tragic testament to the severity of Untreated Mental Health conditions (WHO).

It is clear that current laws do not adequately empower families with adult members who pose risks to their own health and wellbeing due to these issues. Families are often  left helpless unable even to advocate effectively for their loved ones when they are most vulnerable.

We need to strengthen Laws that Empower family members in advocating for  adults who pose risks due to their impaired capacity from addictions and mental health issues.  Our voices deserve to be heard: our concerns deserve consideration.

Please sign this petition if you believe in giving family members the right to advocate for their adult relatives struggling with mental health or addiction issues.      

Thank You.