Agenda
Join us virtually for REIMAGINE: A week of action to reimagine our national response to people in crisis, Nov. 16–18.
Register today to learn more about our current response to mental health and suicidal crises, how it intersects with different communities, how you can help #ReimagineCrisis — and, ultimately, how we can work together to build a better, more equitable crisis system.
REIMAGINE Agenda
10:30-10:50 AM ET: It’s Time to #ReimagineCrisis: Why Now
With the upcoming launch of 988, advocates have a unique opportunity to shape a mental health and suicidal crisis response system that works – for everyone. As a kick-off to REIMAGINE, hear about why these organizations have come together during this unique time, including a brief background of 988 and what it means for mental health, substance use and suicidal crisis response.
11:00-11:30 AM ET: Fireside Chat: One Family’s Journey
Too often people affected by mental illness wake up to find the news filled with heartbreaking tragedy: another escalation of force; another life lost; another story that could be about their loved one. Hear one family’s story with our current crisis system and learn about the urgency to #ReimagineCrisis. (Content Warning)
11:40 AM-12:25 PM ET: Perspectives: Crisis Response and Racial Equity
Our existing crisis response system leaves too many people underserved, which often leads to trauma and tragedy for people of color. Hear about barriers to receiving care today and how civil rights and social justice groups can play a role in a reimagined system of crisis response.
12:35-1:00 PM ET: Deep Dive: What Does an Ideal Crisis System Look Like?
Changing how we respond to people in crisis may seem daunting, but fortunately, we know what works. Learn briefly about the three components of a crisis response system from one community who is proving every day that mental health and suicidal crises can be handled appropriately with a mental health response.
Sessions for Advocacy Leaders ONLY
1:20-1:30 PM ET: Making the Most of the 988 Advocacy Intensive
As an advocacy leader, your voice is critical to showing the public what they should demand – and showing policymakers the change we need. Join us for our Advocacy Intensive kick-off and learn how to get the most out of the next three days.
1:45-2:45 PM ET: Concurrent Workshops
Option A: How a Continuum of Crisis Services Can Work
A robust crisis response system should include 24/7 crisis call centers, mobile crisis teams and crisis stabilization programs, but few communities have all three in place. Learn more about each component and case studies you can use to convince colleagues, the public and policymakers on why all three are critical to invest in.
Option B: Finding and Successfully Preparing Your Champions
A champion legislator (or a few) are critical to moving efforts in your state, but all champions are not the same. Join us to think through the strategy on who is best positioned to advance crisis services, including who can convince others to come on board. We’ll also discuss the best ways you can empower your legislative champion(s) to talk about this issue and be successful.
3:00-4:00 PM ET: Concurrent Workshops
Option A: Where’s the Funding? Understanding Ways to Fund Crisis Services
No single funding source is going to make the full range of crisis services available. Join us to learn about what insurance covers for crisis care, federal funding streams, and different options for your state. Use this information to successfully advocate for the resources your state needs to improve crisis services.
Option B: The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and 988: How Will It Work?
When 988 goes live nationwide by next July, it will route through the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Learn more about how the Lifeline operates, including call routing, training and data collection. Additionally, learn what to expect with 988 – and what it will mean in your community in dispatching help when needed. You’ll also hear how some call centers and emergency response systems (including 911/law enforcement) collaborate.
4:00 PM ET: Conclude
10:30-11:00 AM ET: Fireside Chat: Federal Leadership on Crisis Response
Leading up to the nationwide launch of 988, there is much work to be done to ensure that people calling 988 can get the help they need. Hear about the efforts of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to ensure that people in mental health crisis can receive a mental health response.
11:10 AM-12:00 PM ET: Perspectives: Supporting Youth and Young Adults In Crisis
Too many states don’t have systems in place to help youth and young adults in crisis. Especially now, in the wake of the pandemic, mental health systems across the country are struggling with the increased demand for help. In this panel discussion, hear from professionals and young adult leaders on how the system is straining to help young people, the challenges youth and young adults are going through, and the urgency to act quickly.
12:10-12:25 PM ET: Deep Dive: What the Public Expects When It Comes to Crisis Response
Learn about recent data showing public expectations on how our communities should respond to crises, including who should respond and how we should fund it. Hear how this data can be used to advance crisis services across the country.
12:35-1:00 PM ET: Fireside Chat: Policymakers Pushing for Change
Several states have acted quickly to improve crisis response in their state ahead of 988 going live. Hear from legislative sponsors in two states about their efforts – and how you can engage legislators in your state.
Sessions for Advocacy Leaders ONLY
1:30-2:30 PM ET: Concurrent Workshops
Option A: 988 User Fees: What They Are, Why They Are Needed and How to Advocate for Them
Call it a “user fee,” “surcharge” or “levy,” but one thing is certain: these monthly fees on phone bills provide a consistent and sustainable funding stream for states. Learn more about why they matter, how they can be used and the best ways to convince the public, partners and policymakers that they are needed.
Option B: Building and Expanding an Inclusive Crisis Coalition
Our current response to crisis impacts the whole community, and to #ReimagineCrisis, we need all voices to be pushing for this change to be a truly intersectional effort. Join us to hear about new types of partners to engage in your efforts, and how to ensure your coalition allows everyone to play a meaningful role. We’ll also discuss ways to highlight voices that are often silenced from communities of color, the LGBTQI+ community, and more.
2:45-3:45 PM ET: Concurrent Workshops
Option A: What Does It Cost? Calculating Your State’s Funding Needs
Pushing for funding is critical to this work, but how do you answer the question, “How much funding do you need?” Hear from experts on a tool available to calculate your funding needs and from advocates who can share their experience forecasting how much funding it will take to make this continuum possible.
Option B: Making Noise: Getting Media Coverage and Policymaker Attention of Crisis Advocacy
Two groups are critical to moving our crisis work forward: policymakers who make the decisions and the media who can raise public awareness (which puts pressure on policymakers to act). But what’s the best way to get their attention? Join us to hear insights on what works to get attention, and what can backfire.
3:45 PM ET: Conclude
10:30-11:00 AM ET: Fireside Chat: Living Through a Crisis
Many people who have been in crisis cycle in and out of jails, emergency departments, alcohol and drug addiction and more before finding the help they need. Hear from individuals and loved ones about their experiences during mental health crises, and how we can work together to make things better for everyone moving forward. (Content Warning)
11:10 AM-12:00 PM ET: Perspectives: What Happens If We Don’t Act? A Discussion with Emergency First Responders
Hospitals, physicians, EMTs and law enforcement see firsthand the need for a better way to address crises and help people get a behavioral health response more quickly. Hear from leaders in these communities about why they support reimagining crisis response and the tragic cost of maintaining the status quo.
12:10-12:25 PM ET: The Importance of Cultural Sensitivity & Awareness in Crisis Response
Trust is critical to helping a person in crisis and being able to provide them with appropriate care. Dr. Janice Beal of The Steve Fund will share her experience in the City of Houston on cultural sensitivity and how crisis systems should be preparing to respond and help all types of callers, from all backgrounds. She will share her experience in building buy-in and how she and others are working with SAMHSA to ensure cultural awareness is a core consideration in crisis care.
12:35-1:00 PM ET: Deep Dive: Where Efforts to #ReimagineCrisis Response Are Today – and What’s Next
What happens when 988 “goes live” in July 2022? Hear a brief overview of current efforts at the federal and state level to change our response to people in crisis, what still needs to happen, and the role you can play in your community.
Sessions for Advocacy Leaders ONLY
1:30-2:30 PM ET: Concurrent Workshops
Option A: The Intersection of 988 and the Overdose Crisis
Alcohol and drug use play a significant, yet often overlooked role, in mental health and suicide crises. With overdose deaths reaching an all-time high in 2020, it is important for decision makers to be asking the question: How can 988 help support overdose prevention?
Option B: Email, Digital and In-Person Strategies to Engage Your Advocates Around 988
What are the best ways to engage advocates in your efforts, including those who have been with you for years and new voices? We’ll discuss easy-to-use, as well as low-cost/no-cost, ways to create engaging digital and email campaigns. Also, we will share the best in-person strategies for making an impact and helping your advocates stand out.
2:45-4:00 PM ET: Storytelling for Advocacy: Elevating Personal Stories for Impact
Unfortunately, there is no shortage of stories to share from individuals and peers who have experienced crisis. But how a person tells their story matters. Hear about the best ways to prepare advocates to tell their story and how to elevate those stories for maximum impact.
4:00 PM ET: Conclude
- Victor Armstrong, Deputy Secretary for Health Equity, Chief Health Equity Officer, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
- Peter Ashkenaz, Former Senior Advisor for Media, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
- Margie Balfour, Chief Clinical Quality Officer, Connections Health Solutions
- Brett Beckerson, Director, Public Policy & Advocacy, National Council for Behavioral Health
- Dr. Lee Beers, President, American Academy of Pediatrics
- L. Anthony Cirillo, MD, FACEP, Board of Directors, American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP)
- Nick DeSarno, Director, Digital and Policy Communications, Public Affairs Council
- Katie Donohue, Mental Health Advocate
- John Draper, PhD, Executive Director, National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
- Chelsey Dumond, Senior Manager, Public Policy Events and Projects, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP)
- Rep. Steve Eliason, Utah Representative, 45th District; Senior Director of Finance, University of Utah Hospitals and Clinics
- Bradford Fitch, President & CEO, Congressional Management Foundation
- Rachel Fulmer, MSW, Project Manager, Institute for Justice Research & Development, College of Social Work, Florida State University
- Paul Galdys, MBA, CPRP, Deputy CEO, RI International
- Myisha Gatson, Founder & CEO, Pearl Long Term Care Solutions, Inc
- Daniel H. Gillison, Jr., Chief Executive Officer, NAMI
- Sherman Gillums, Jr., Chief Strategy and Operations Officer, NAMI
- Matthew Goldman, M.D., M.S., Medical Director, Comprehensive Crisis Services & Hope SF Community Wellness Program, San Francisco Department of Public Health
- Brandon Graham, Senior Manager, Advocacy Campaigns, NAMI
- Taun Hall, Executive Director, The Miles Hall Foundation
- Amy Herbst, MSSW, APSW, Vice President, Mental and Behavioral Health, Children’s Wisconsin
- Courtney Hunter, Vice President of Policy and Advocacy, Crisis Text Line
- Danitza James, MSW, Co-Chair, Military & Veterans Legislative Subcommittee, League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC)
- Moe Keller, Director of Advocacy, Mental Health Colorado
- Angela Kimball, Senior Vice President for Policy & Advocacy, Inseparable
- Taylor Kleffel, MSW, Manager, State Policy, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
- Sheriff Peter Koutoujian, Sherriff, Middlesex County, Massachusetts
- Preston Mitchum, Director of Advocacy & Government Affairs, The Trevor Project
- Keris Myrick, Co-Director/Policy Liason, S2i/N.A.P.S
- Mallory Newall, Vice President of Public Polling, Ipsos Public Affairs
- Kenneth Norton, Executive Director, NAMI New Hampshire
- Rep. Tina Orwall, MSW, State Representative, Washington State House of Representatives
- John Palmieri, MD, MHA, Acting Director, 988 and Behavioral Health Crisis, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
- Stephanie Pasternak, Senior Manager, State Affairs, NAMI
- Miriam Pearsall, MPH, Executive Fellow, Well Being Trust
- Michael Petruzzelli, Director Federal Policy and Advocacy, National Council for Mental Wellbeing
- Charlie Severance-Medaris, MPP, Policy Specialist, National Conference of State Legislatures
- Mathew Shapiro, Associate Director, Public Affairs, NAMI-New York State
- Jennifer Snow, Director, Public Policy, NAMI
- Corbin Standley, AFSP National Public Policy Council Member; Board Chair, AFSP-Michigan Chapter
- Amy Watson, PhD, Professor, Helen Bader School of Social Welfare, University of Wisconsin Milwaukee
- Hannah Wesolowski, Director, Field Advocacy, NAMI
- Matthew Wintersteen, PhD, Assistant Professor, Thomas Jefferson University
