Advocacy

A first-of-its-kind initiative spearheaded by the Patrick P. Lee Foundation, this groundbreaking initiative unites municipal and county government, law enforcement and emergency services, healthcare and behavioral health providers, advocates, and people with lived experience.

The CTC Collaborative was developed to address persistent challenges in the adult behavioral health crisis response system, including fragmented services, coordination limitations, and ongoing overreliance on law enforcement and 911. The effort is committed to operating in a transparent manner, while utilizing existing knowledge, national expertise and best practices, comprehensive data, and information sharing to achieve meaningful improvements to a somewhat fractured existing structure.

The collaborative has released comprehensive reports analyzing how emergency call centers, police, EMS, and health providers in Erie County respond to people experiencing a mental health-related emergency. With more than 30 independent government agencies and nonprofits participating and 10 of these partners contributing data to the report, the CTC is using the reports' insights to guide next steps and help the community develop a clear roadmap forward. 

To learn more about the Crisis to Care Collaborative and read their reports, visit CrisisToCare.org. 

In collaboration with Peg’s Foundation, Scattergood Foundation and the Peter & Elizabeth C. Tower Foundation, we commissioned a series of solutions-oriented policy papers titled “Think Bigger, Do Good.” Our participation ensures Western New York’s voice is part of national discussions on major mental health issues.

The policy papers are informed by an advisory council of widely recognized experts in mental health and addictions care including both strategic and tactical experts. The council provides input on prioritization of topics, selection of authors and strategy to promote effective advocacy. 

One of the Lee Foundation’s top priorities is to ensure there is a strong, well-trained mental health workforce capable of meeting community needs.  Western New York, like many regions in the United States, has a shortage of mental health professionals. By adding just one mental health professional to the workforce, hundreds of patients and their families will benefit.

Between the Lines, a campaign created in partnership with Bring Change To Mind, aims to address the workforce shortage by increasing the number of psychiatrists, psychologists, and behavioral health practitioners throughout the United States.

The multi-media campaign, which includes a PSA and website, encourages high school and college students to consider a career in mental health. The campaign spotlights individuals working in mental health professions and shares resources that can help with educational opportunities, scholarships, and loan repayment.

https://bringchange2mind.org/learn/psas/between-the-lines