Last week, a diverse group of over 40 leading mental health and substance use recovery professionals, individuals with lived and living experience, families, activists, and advocates convened in Massachusetts. As a member of the planning committee, the National Federation of Families was instrumental in facilitating this convening. It is important to highlight that approximately 25% of this group identified as family members.

This gathering brought together a wide spectrum of stakeholders representing substance use, mental health, family support, justice system reform, disability rights, housing, prevention, and youth advocacy. The Coalition was convened with an urgent mandate: to immediately create rapid infrastructure capable of responding to emergency situations similar to the recent SAMHSA grant uncertainty. We recognize that the recent threat to funding served as a wake-up call. We cannot allow administrative volatility to threaten the lifelines of our communities.

While the immediate priority is emergency response, the Coalition’s long-term mission is to galvanize the sector and build capacity to fight for the civil rights of individuals living with mental health and substance use concerns, as well as their families.

Key strategic focus areas for the Coalition include:

• Civil Rights Advocacy: Opposing involuntary civil commitment and mass incarceration/institutionalization.
• Equitable Access: Ensuring access to person-centered recovery supports, including prevention, harm reduction, appropriate therapeutic treatment, and community-based supports.
• Capacity Building: Empowering existing organizations and communities to work in partnership more effectively at both the national and community levels.

The group recognizes the urgency of now as we envision a country where recovery is enshrined as a civil right, ensuring health, wellbeing, and liberation for all are not just ideals, but realized truths in communities and public policies. By building capacity for the organizations already doing this work, the Coalition aims to create a stronger, more responsive national network.

Additional information about the Coalition will be forthcoming. Watch your email for updates and an invitation for you to join in our efforts.