Campaign extended!
Our deadline has passed but you can still help.
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Help CBAF eliminate mental health stigmas
What Does the Cynthia Breen Advocacy Foundation do, and why should you support its work?
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The way mental illness services are organized today doesn't serve those who need help; taxpayers' money is not effectively used and does not provide outcomes that benefit either the client or the community; and in many cases, shrinking budgets cause communities to focus less on individuals and their needs. Instead, many programs are effectively 'warehouses' for the mentally ill... and the people warehoused are often moved from facility to facility without any continuum of care or help addressing the challenges that await them once they return to 'regular' life.
AS A RESULT, CBAF is seeking donations to help us implement our client-centric, long-view of psychiatric care. This approach works, but it isn't cheap. CBAF needs your support to complete the real-world demonstration case that we are confident many social service providers will adapt toward once the 'proof' is submitted.
1) CBAF's initiatives to improve the lives and care of those with mental illness are structured to meet specific goals that are measurable, focused and offer demonstrable direct benefit to those affected by mental illness.
2) In 2013, our initiatives will offer the estimated 10 million untreated Americans with mental illness their first connection to social services, mental health professionals and support systems that improve their success and reduce dependence on municipal systems.
3) Phase One is developing awareness of available services for the treatment and care of those affected by mental illness, and success is defined at this early stage as reducing the untreated population at least 15% by Jan 1, 2014 for those seeking assistance who are qualified and able to do so;
4) A component of the awareness initiative targets negative public perceptions and stigmas associated with mental illness by the general public. This 'shaming' has been shown to discourage those in need from getting help or even disclosing their serious health issue to friends, co-workers and family.
5) The core initiative will continue to be vigorously implemented: Advocating for those who are able and willing to work with their disability, and seek recourse for those whose employers engage in discrimination of any kind; Connecting people in need with the most appropriate services, and working through the system our staff has extensive experience with to ensure paperwork, evaluations and bureaucratic demands don't delay access to care;
6) The long-term initiative is 'Success through Stability', which addresses the bigger (and mostly unaddressed) needs in the life of a mentally ill person: stable housing, income, support networks and a sense of purpose. In creating a safe, stable and reliable foundation in these individuals' lives, paired with clear and well-defined pathways to reach their personal goals, obligations and wishes, decreases 'revolving-door' repeated social service program use and increases self-reliance by creating structure, obtainable goals, and purpose in each of their lives.
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The way mental illness services are organized today doesn't serve those who need help; taxpayers' money is not effectively used and does not provide outcomes that benefit either the client or the community; and in many cases, shrinking budgets cause communities to focus less on individuals and their needs. Instead, many programs are effectively 'warehouses' for the mentally ill... and the people warehoused are often moved from facility to facility without any continuum of care or help addressing the challenges that await them once they return to 'regular' life.
AS A RESULT, CBAF is seeking donations to help us implement our client-centric, long-view of psychiatric care. This approach works, but it isn't cheap. CBAF needs your support to complete the real-world demonstration case that we are confident many social service providers will adapt toward once the 'proof' is submitted.
1) CBAF's initiatives to improve the lives and care of those with mental illness are structured to meet specific goals that are measurable, focused and offer demonstrable direct benefit to those affected by mental illness.
2) In 2013, our initiatives will offer the estimated 10 million untreated Americans with mental illness their first connection to social services, mental health professionals and support systems that improve their success and reduce dependence on municipal systems.
3) Phase One is developing awareness of available services for the treatment and care of those affected by mental illness, and success is defined at this early stage as reducing the untreated population at least 15% by Jan 1, 2014 for those seeking assistance who are qualified and able to do so;
4) A component of the awareness initiative targets negative public perceptions and stigmas associated with mental illness by the general public. This 'shaming' has been shown to discourage those in need from getting help or even disclosing their serious health issue to friends, co-workers and family.
5) The core initiative will continue to be vigorously implemented: Advocating for those who are able and willing to work with their disability, and seek recourse for those whose employers engage in discrimination of any kind; Connecting people in need with the most appropriate services, and working through the system our staff has extensive experience with to ensure paperwork, evaluations and bureaucratic demands don't delay access to care;
6) The long-term initiative is 'Success through Stability', which addresses the bigger (and mostly unaddressed) needs in the life of a mentally ill person: stable housing, income, support networks and a sense of purpose. In creating a safe, stable and reliable foundation in these individuals' lives, paired with clear and well-defined pathways to reach their personal goals, obligations and wishes, decreases 'revolving-door' repeated social service program use and increases self-reliance by creating structure, obtainable goals, and purpose in each of their lives.