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Join families and young people across
New York State for a day of advocacy about topics and issues that are important to you!
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What's Great
In Our State
Save the date and join us on May 7, 2024, from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM for What's Great In Our State, an in-person event that acknowledges the efforts of programs, organizations, teachers, caregivers, and young individuals across New York State who positively impact the social-emotional health and overall well-being of children.
Registration coming soon!
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Register TODAY for Family Empowerment Day! | |
Family Empowerment Day is NEXT WEEK! If you haven't already, there's still time to register! Secure your spot and get on the bus! | |
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Full Family Empowerment Townhall Videos
Over the last month, FTNYS has hosted townhalls with state agency commissioners and legislators. Below are the full recordings on our YouTube channel!
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The one-house budgets from the NYS Senate and Assembly have been realized. In the meantime, our Public Policy Director, Brad Hansen, and team lobbyist, Karin Carreu, summarized what is in Governor Hochul's state budget proposal. You can find that video above. The legislature and the governor will now come together to negotiate and find a middle ground between the two budget frameworks.
We have also released our Policy Priorities for this year. We hope to get as much of this in the final budget as possible in order to best serve the youth and families of New York State.
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Women's History Month: celebrate the strength, resilience, and diversity of women mental health advocacy warriors! | |
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Advocacy & Resilience: Powerful Woman
Women have faced oppression, discrimination, paternalism, and stereotyping throughout history. In the 19th century, the country adhered to common law beliefs that married women were under the protection and authority of their husband.
Under this harmful policy, a woman named Elizabeth Packard was committed to an insane asylum for three years merely on her husband’s observation that his wife was “a little insane.” The reason? Elizabeth disagreed with his theological views; her differing theological views made her “a little insane” when they became a public embarrassment for the Reverend Packard.
Elizabeth was institutionalized, isolated and abused. In 1863, Elizabeth was finally given her day in court to regain her freedom. Elizabeth acted and spoke with such dignity and eloquence that the jury took all of seven minutes of deliberation to release her from the asylum.
Elizabeth went on to found the Anti-Insane Asylum Society; authored several books; and toured the country advocating for more stringent laws, the rights of married women, and the protection of the rights of individuals diagnosed with mental illness.
Dorothea Dix, considered the mother of Mental Health reform, fought a more than 40-year crusade to create a more equitable world for the underprivileged. Dorothea was a teacher. She published popular textbooks and founded multiple schools for underprivileged girls. In 1841, Dorothea volunteered to teach a Sunday school class at a local women’s prison. In her work, Dorothea witnessed firsthand the inhumane treatment of individuals who allegedly were diagnosed with a mental illness. Dorathea went from being a teacher to being an advocate. Dorothea created a system of collecting objective data, enabling her to defeat opponents of her reforms who relied solely on subjective, biased arguments. She used her skills developed as a teacher and her growing connections with other reformers to make real change. She persuaded legislators, governments, and even the Catholic Church to recognize the inhumane treatment of people with mental health issues.
Women have faced oppression, discrimination, paternalism, and stereotyping throughout history. In the 19th century, the country adhered to common law beliefs that married women were under the protection and authority of their husband.
Under this harmful policy, a woman named Elizabeth Packard was committed to an insane asylum for three years merely on her husband’s observation that his wife was “a little insane.” The reason? Elizabeth disagreed with his theological views; her differing theological views made her “a little insane” when they became a public embarrassment for the Reverend Packard.
Elizabeth was institutionalized, isolated and abused. In 1863, Elizabeth was finally given her day in court to regain her freedom. Elizabeth acted and spoke with such dignity and eloquence that the jury took all of seven minutes of deliberation to release her from the asylum.
Elizabeth went on to found the Anti-Insane Asylum Society; authored several books; and toured the country advocating for more stringent laws, the rights of married women, and the protection of the rights of individuals diagnosed with mental illness.
Dorothea Dix, considered the mother of Mental Health reform, fought a more than 40-year crusade to create a more equitable world for the underprivileged. Dorothea was a teacher. She published popular textbooks and founded multiple schools for underprivileged girls. In 1841, Dorothea volunteered to teach a Sunday school class at a local women’s prison. In her work, Dorothea witnessed firsthand the inhumane treatment of individuals who allegedly were diagnosed with a mental illness. Dorathea went from being a teacher to being an advocate. Dorothea created a system of collecting objective data, enabling her to defeat opponents of her reforms who relied solely on subjective, biased arguments. She used her skills developed as a teacher and her growing connections with other reformers to make real change. She persuaded legislators, governments, and even the Catholic Church to recognize the inhumane treatment of people with mental health issues.
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Are you a parent interested in engaging in more meaningful family activities? Participate in our paid research study!
Join Engaging Parents; Increasing Connection with Children [EPICC], a Temple University program aimed at helping parents with serious mental illness connect more meaningfully with their children. If you're 18 or older, have a diagnosis of schizophrenia-spectrum disorder, bipolar disorder, or depression, and desire more meaningful family activities, you're invited! Participate in 3 research interviews and receive a $20 gift card per interview. Plus, access an online support program.
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Regional Advisory Committee (RAC):
Monday, March 18, 2024
8:30am-12:30pm
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The Regional Advisory Committee is a public meeting for youth, families, adults and older adults, and advocates who participate or have participated in mental health services to provide actionable advice to the divisions within the NYS Office of Mental Health. | During March’s RAC we will be joined by members of the OMH Executive Team to discuss OMH initiatives from 2023 and priority setting for 2024. | |
EMPOWERING FAMILIES. COORDINATING SYSTEMS.
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737 Madison Avenue
Albany, NY 12208
Office Phone: 518.432.0333
Information Email: info@ftnys.org
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