Action, Alliance, and Hope for a Cure. Schizophrenia, A Treatable Brain Disease (Ep. 76)

Guest: Gordon Lavigne, CEO,  Schizophrenia and Psychosis Action Alliance

And Alfonso Guido Jr., JD

The vision of S&PAA (The Schizophrenia and Psychosis Action Alliance is this: 

to see schizophrenia and psychosis spectrum disorders universally recognized and treated as neurobiological brain illnesses.

Its mission?:

to create a movement for systemic change to improve care, support, and equity for the millions of people living with schizophrenia and psychosis spectrum disorders - and to find a cure.

Sounds good to us! 

We ask:

1. When and why was Schizophrenia and Psychosis Action Alliance (S&PAA) formed?

2. Some may recall that the name was originally SARDAA. Why did you rebrand?

3. Why did each of you come to work in mental illness/health advocacy? Are you family members?

4. What are two or three of the most important things S&;PAA does?

5. What kind of research is most needed?

6. How do you work with NAMI? Weren’t they formed for similar reasons as S&PAA?

7. What other mental health organizations do you work with and how?

8. Do you think there are too many groups or that some may someday consolidate?

9. What issues does S&PAA follow and advocate for in Congress?

10. Mimi was at this spring’s Congressional educational event and participated in the Angry Moms

demonstration. Mindy is also a member of the Angry Moms. Will there be more events like this?

11. How can our listeners engage with S&;PAA? Can they join as a member?

12. What one change would each of you most like to see in national mental health policy?

13. What most needs funding?

14. Anything else you would like to add to this conversation?

LINKS:
https://sczaction.org/
https://www.guidelobby.com/