Advocacy initiatives are issues we feel are important to highlight due to their impact on mental health, crisis services, suicide prevention, and more.
The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. The 988 Lifeline is the first step in reimagining our crisis response. Every person in crisis deserves a system that meets them where they are, including:
But there’s more work to do to ensure everyone receives the compassionate and comprehensive help they need.
Take Action on Crisis Advocacy Through the NAMI Action Center
Learn More on Reimagining Crisis Response
Far too often, police officers are the first to respond to situations involving a mental health crisis. A Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) program is a community-based approach to improve outcomes by keeping everyone safe, and people in crisis out of jail and in treatment.
CIT programs give police officers more tools to do their job safely and effectively and create partnerships between law enforcement, mental health providers, hospital emergency services, advocates, and people with mental conditions and their families.
Benefits of CIT What is CIT?
To identify CIT opportunities in Allegheny County, email us at info@namikeystonpa.org. To inquire about CIT in another county, contact your local NAMI Affiliate.
NAMI Keystone Pennsylvania is now offering QPR (Question, Persuade, and Refer) Gatekeeper Training. The program teaches people how to recognize warning signs of suicide and respond in a way that can help save a life. The training is designed for anyone regardless of their background in mental health and will teach participants to learn how to intervene and assist someone in crisis. The training is approximately 1.5 hours. For more information, contact our Adult Mental Health Advocate, Jenny Vaporetti, at jvaporetti@namikeystonepa.org.
NAMI Keystone PA has launched an Advocacy Capacity Building Series to highlight common mental health topics that peers and families may encounter. The first presentation covers Mental Health Advance Directives. To view the video, visit the NKPA YouTube page. To be added to the email list, email Christine at clederer@namikeystonepa.org.
Pennsylvania has multiple FEP program sites across the state.
To find a center near you, visit HeadsUp PA.
Tardive dyskinesia, or TD, is a condition of uncontrollable movements affecting the face, torso, and/or other body parts. TD may develop after a few months of taking certain medications to treat bipolar disorder, depression, or schizophrenia. Not only can TD be disruptive, but it can also impact someone’s emotional and social well-being.
Learn More about TD TalkAboutTD.com