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Resources for Families & Advocates

You don't have to figure this out alone. These organizations, podcasts, one-pagers, and advocacy tools have been vetted by Arizona Mad Moms families.

Our Network

Partner Organizations & Allies

These organizations are on the front lines of the fight for better treatment, housing, and rights for people with serious mental illness. We work alongside them, learn from them, and recommend them to every family in our community.

Treatment Advocacy Center (TAC) logo
National Advocacy

Treatment Advocacy Center (TAC)

Visit Website β†’πŸ—ΊοΈ Look Up Your State β†’

The national leader in advocating for better treatment of people with severe mental illness. TAC provides state-by-state resources, model legislation, research on anosognosia and treatment laws, and tools for families fighting for court-ordered treatment. Their state resource map is the first place to look for your state's specific SMI laws.

βœ“State-by-state SMI law lookup
βœ“Anosognosia research & education
βœ“Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) advocacy
βœ“Model legislation for states
βœ“Eliminating barriers to treatment
CURESZ Foundation logo
Treatment & Research

CURESZ Foundation

Visit Website β†’

Founded by Dr. Bethany Yeiser β€” a schizophrenia survivor who was homeless for years before receiving proper treatment β€” CURESZ educates families and clinicians about evidence-based treatments for schizophrenia, with a strong focus on clozapine and long-acting injectable medications. Their annual summit is a must-attend for families seeking the latest treatment knowledge.

βœ“Clozapine education & advocacy
βœ“Long-acting injectable medications
βœ“Annual summit with leading researchers
βœ“First-person recovery stories
βœ“Bridging the gap between research and practice
Schizophrenia & Psychosis Action Alliance (S&PAA) logo
National Alliance

Schizophrenia & Psychosis Action Alliance (S&PAA)

Visit Website β†’

Formerly known as the Schizophrenia and Related Disorders Alliance of America, S&PAA brings together individuals, families, and professionals to improve the lives of those affected by schizophrenia and psychosis. They are co-hosting the National Mental Illness Justice Center convening with TAC in 2026.

βœ“National Mental Illness Justice Center (with TAC)
βœ“Policy advocacy for psychosis spectrum disorders
βœ“Family and individual support programs
βœ“Research-to-practice initiatives
βœ“Community building for affected families
Team Daniel Running for Recovery logo
Documentary & Research

Team Daniel Running for Recovery

Visit Website β†’

A 501(c)(3) charity founded by Dr. Rob and Ann Mandel Laitman, dedicated to meaningful recovery from serious mental illness. Their documentary features over 25 interviews with patients, parents, and leading medical professionals β€” including Dr. Xavier Amador, Dr. Fuller Torrey, Rachel Streiff, and Bethany Yeiser. Rachel Streiff serves as a data analyst for Team Daniel.

βœ“Documentary featuring leading SMI experts
βœ“25+ interviews with patients & families
βœ“Evidence-based recovery education
βœ“Collaboration with top researchers
βœ“Mad Moms partner organization
The Angry Moms & The Clozapine Community logo
Sister Organization

The Angry Moms & The Clozapine Community

The Angry Moms β†’The Clozapine Community β†’

Arizona Mad Moms' sister organization, The Angry Moms was founded by Rachel Streiff to end harmful federal restrictions on clozapine. Their 'Negligence of the Week' emails and direct advocacy helped lead to the FDA's removal of the clozapine REMS program in 2025. The Clozapine Community is an online hub for patients, families, and clinicians navigating clozapine treatment.

βœ“Ended the FDA clozapine REMS program (2025)
βœ“Negligence of the Week advocacy emails
βœ“Clozapine blood monitoring guidance
βœ“Pharmacy barrier navigation
βœ“Connecting families with experienced prescribers
NAMI Arizona logo
Arizona Partner

NAMI Arizona

Visit Website β†’

The Arizona affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. NAMI provides family support groups, education programs (Family-to-Family), crisis resources, and advocacy at the state level. Arizona Mad Moms partners with NAMI Arizona on legislative and community initiatives.

βœ“Family-to-Family education program
βœ“In-person support groups statewide
βœ“Crisis resources & helpline
βœ“State-level legislative advocacy
βœ“Mad Moms legislative partner
Association for the Chronically Mentally Ill (ACMI) logo
Arizona Partner

Association for the Chronically Mentally Ill (ACMI)

Visit Website β†’

ACMI works alongside Arizona Mad Moms in the Arizona Legislature, drafting and supporting bills that reform the state's SMI system. Led by Josh Mozell, one of the few attorneys in the country with a mental health-care practice, ACMI hosts monthly stakeholder meetings with expert speakers.

βœ“Arizona SMI legislative drafting & support
βœ“Monthly stakeholder meetings with expert speakers
βœ“Mental health-care legal expertise
βœ“System accountability advocacy
βœ“Mad Moms legislative co-partner
National Shattering Silence Coalition logo
National Coalition

National Shattering Silence Coalition

Visit Website β†’

A national coalition working to shatter the silence around serious mental illness. Features the 'Beyond Stigma' column and advocacy campaigns. Crystal Fox shared Joshua's story through their platform, helping inspire John's Law in Arizona.

βœ“'Beyond Stigma' column & campaigns
βœ“Platform for families to share stories
βœ“National SMI awareness advocacy
βœ“Inspired John's Law in Arizona
βœ“Amplifying grassroots family voices

Required Reading

Recommended Books

These books have been recommended by Arizona Mad Moms because they tell the truth about serious mental illness β€” the science, the system, and the human cost β€” without sugarcoating it.

I Am Not Sick, I Don't Need Help! cover
Family Essential

I Am Not Sick, I Don't Need Help!

Dr. Xavier Amador

The definitive guide to the LEAP method β€” a communication approach that helps families connect with loved ones who have anosognosia and refuse treatment. Required reading for every family navigating SMI.

βœ“LEAP communication method
βœ“Understanding anosognosia
βœ“Motivational interviewing for families
βœ“Real-world family scenarios
βœ“Evidence-based approach
Mind Estranged: My Journey from Schizophrenia and Homelessness to Recovery cover
First-Person Recovery

Mind Estranged: My Journey from Schizophrenia and Homelessness to Recovery

Bethany Yeiser

CURESZ Foundation founder Bethany Yeiser's memoir of her journey through schizophrenia, homelessness, and recovery. A devastating and hopeful account β€” proof that recovery is possible with the right treatment. Foreword by Dr. Henry Nasrallah.

βœ“First-person schizophrenia memoir
βœ“Journey through homelessness to recovery
βœ“The role of clozapine in recovery
βœ“Hope for families of loved ones with SMI
βœ“By CURESZ Foundation founder
Meaningful Recovery from Schizophrenia and Serious Mental Illness with Clozapine cover
Clinical Guide

Meaningful Recovery from Schizophrenia and Serious Mental Illness with Clozapine

Laitman, Opler, Laitman & Laitman β€” 5th Edition

A comprehensive clinical guide to clozapine co-authored by Team Daniel's Dr. Robert Laitman and his family. The 5th edition covers evidence-based treatment protocols, side effect management, and the path to meaningful recovery for people with schizophrenia and SMI.

βœ“5th edition β€” most current guidance
βœ“Evidence-based clozapine protocols
βœ“Side effect management & monitoring
βœ“Recovery outcomes & case studies
βœ“Co-authored by Team Daniel founders
Insane Consequences: How the Mental Health Industry Fails the Mentally Ill cover
System Critique

Insane Consequences: How the Mental Health Industry Fails the Mentally Ill

DJ Jaffe

A devastating, evidence-based indictment of a mental health system that prioritizes the worried well over the seriously ill. Currently being read in the Mad Moms Low Bandwidth Book Club β€” DJ Jaffe lays bare exactly why the system fails the most vulnerable.

βœ“Evidence-based critique of the mental health system
βœ“How funding is misallocated away from SMI
βœ“Policy reforms for serious mental illness
βœ“Currently read in Mad Moms Book Club
βœ“Endorsed by leading SMI advocates

Listen & Watch

Podcasts, Videos & Documentaries

Hear directly from families, advocates, and experts. These podcasts and videos are recommended by Arizona Mad Moms because they tell the truth about serious mental illness β€” without sugarcoating it.

Podcast / YouTube

Schizophrenia: Three Moms in the Trenches

Miriam Feldman & Co-hosts

A powerful podcast by mothers of adults with schizophrenia who share raw, honest conversations about caregiving, treatment, advocacy, and survival. Rachel Streiff was a featured guest on Episode 37, sharing her advocacy journey and how she insisted on the best available care for her son.

β–ΆEpisode 37: Rachel Streiff β€” Advocating for the Best Available SMI Care
β–ΆRegular episodes on caregiving, treatment resistance, and family survival
Listen / Watch β†’
Podcast

Crystal Fox: One Mother's Journey Through Tragedy

Tony Mantar β€” "Why Me World?" Podcast

Arizona Mad Moms co-founder Crystal Fox shares her heartbreaking journey as the mother of a son with schizophrenia. Through her dual perspective as both a parent and a psychiatric nurse with 30 years of experience, Crystal illuminates the critical gaps in our mental healthcare system.

β–ΆCrystal's story of her son Joshua and his father John
β–ΆThe founding of Arizona Mad Moms
β–ΆHow families can fight back against a broken system
Listen / Watch β†’
Podcast (3-Part Series)

NSSC: Voices of Change β€” Serious Mental Illness, Missed Care & the Criminal Justice Gap

Tony Mantor β€” "Why Not Me?" Podcast Γ— National Shattering Silence Coalition

A powerful 3-part podcast series bringing together seven voices to talk honestly about serious mental illness and why families are pushed to wait for crisis before help is allowed. The series challenges outdated laws, uneven state systems, and stigma while naming practical fixes that can make outpatient care real and measurable.

β–ΆPart 1: Mental health codes, step-up AOT, accountability gaps, stigma, early intervention, Arizona vs. California, and the criminal justice void
β–ΆPart 2: Jail-based competency restoration, anosognosia, the life expectancy gap for schizophrenia, first-episode psychosis, coalition-building, and the IMD exclusion
β–ΆPart 3: Capacity and consent during psychosis, power of attorney, the 10-year gap to diagnosis, HIPAA barriers, CIT training, HR 4022, and ending the IMD exclusion
Listen / Watch β†’
Podcast

Rachel Streiff on Anosognosia

Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology Podcast

A 42-minute deep dive into anosognosia β€” the neurological condition that prevents people with SMI from recognizing they are ill. Rachel Streiff, co-founder of Arizona Mad Moms, explains what anosognosia is, how it affects treatment, and what families can do.

β–ΆWhat anosognosia is and why it matters
β–ΆHow anosognosia blocks treatment acceptance
β–ΆStrategies for families dealing with a loved one who doesn't know they're sick
Listen / Watch β†’
YouTube

"What People Get Wrong About Anosognosia"

Treatment Advocacy Center (TAC) β€” Dr. Xavier Amador

A 48-minute interview where TAC's executive director Lisa Dailey discusses anosognosia with Dr. Xavier Amador β€” clinical psychologist, author of 'I Am Not Sick, I Don't Need Help!', and brother of a person with schizophrenia. Essential viewing for every family navigating SMI.

β–ΆWhy anosognosia is not denial
β–ΆThe neuroscience behind lack of insight
β–ΆHow the LEAP method helps families communicate
Listen / Watch β†’
YouTube

Crystal Fox at Mental Illness Day at the Capitol

End the Clozapine REMS β€” YouTube

Arizona Mad Moms co-founder Crystal Fox speaks about her son Joshua, his father John, and their family's experience navigating the Arizona system of care for Serious Mental Illness. A powerful speech that captures the heart of the Mad Moms movement.

β–ΆCrystal's speech at the Arizona State Capitol
β–ΆThe story behind John's Law (HB 2744)
β–ΆWhy families must be heard by legislators
Listen / Watch β†’
YouTube

Rachel Streiff: Mad Moms Rising for Mental Health Reform

Tony Mantar β€” "Why Me World?" Podcast

Arizona Mad Moms co-founder Rachel Streiff shares the story behind the movement β€” how families turned grief and frustration into grassroots legislative action that has changed Arizona's mental health system.

β–ΆThe founding story of Arizona Mad Moms
β–ΆHow grassroots advocacy passes laws
β–ΆThe fight for clozapine access and treatment reform
Listen / Watch β†’
Documentary

INTO THE LIGHT: Meaningful Recovery from Psychosis

Team Daniel Running for Recovery

A 62-minute documentary featuring over 25 interviews with patients, parents, and leading medical professionals β€” including Dr. Xavier Amador, Dr. Fuller Torrey, Rachel Streiff, and Bethany Yeiser. Covers barriers to treatment, clozapine, and the importance of supportive community.

β–ΆBarriers to treatment for SMI
β–ΆClozapine as a life-changing medication
β–ΆThe importance of community in recovery
Listen / Watch β†’
Podcast

Pathways to Equity Podcast β€” Cronkite News

Cronkite News / AZPBS

The inaugural episode examines the effects of bed shortages for the seriously mentally ill on families and community. Features Josh Mozell (President of ACMI) and Arizona Mad Mom Tyra Street, whose son has schizophrenia.

β–ΆImpact of psychiatric bed shortages on families
β–ΆThe intersection of SMI and the justice system
β–ΆWhat Arizona needs to change
Listen / Watch β†’

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