From Kitchen Table to Capitol: Turning Pain into Policy Change - with Jessica Wilson (Cruz)

Join us for this deeply moving conversation with Jessica Wilson (Cruz), CEO of NAMI California, as she shares her personal journey from a daughter in crisis to becoming one of California's leading mental health advocates. In this candid interview, Jessica shares her experience of her mother's first psychiatric hospitalization, how it shaped her 15-year career at NAMI, and her vision for transforming mental health care “From Kitchen Table to Capitol."
Key Topics Covered: ✅ Personal journey into mental health advocacy ✅ The reality of family caregiving and trauma ✅ Breaking down mental health stigma ✅ Policy advocacy and systemic change ✅ Building collaborative solutions in mental health ✅ The future of mental health care for young people
📋 TIMESTAMPED CHAPTERS:
[00:00] Introduction & Welcome
[00:43] Jessica's Background & Path to NAMI
[02:16] The Interview That Changed Everything
[03:49] Mother's First Psychiatric Crisis
[05:44] How Mental Illness Affects Entire Families
[06:33] Understanding Mental Health Stigma
[08:15] The Importance of Early Intervention
[11:18] Family Support in Recovery Success
[12:37] From Daughter to Deputy Director to CEO
[13:40] Creating a Culture of Compassion at NAMI
[16:30] Building Collaborative Leadership
[18:35] Kitchen Table to Capital: Policy Translation
[22:40] Real Stories Drive Real Change
[24:35] Gathering Community Input & Building Relationships
[27:15] 15 Years of Progress in Mental Health Advocacy
[30:18] Moving from Competition to Collaboration
[32:49] The Need for System-Wide Reform
[33:32] Hope for Future Generations
[36:01] How to Get Involved with NAMI California
[36:47] Closing Thoughts
🎯 Perfect for:
Mental health professionals and practitioners
Healthcare workers and administrators
Community leaders and advocates
Families affected by mental illness
Policy makers and social workers
Anyone interested in mental health reform
📞 RESOURCES MENTIONED:
NAMI California: namica.org
Crisis Line: 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline)
Open Mind Insights: www.tntopenmind.org
Interview Recorded on:August 8th, 2025

#MentalHealthAdvocacy #NAMICalifornia #MentalHealthAwareness #PolicyAdvocacy #FamilySupport #MentalHealthReform #OpenMindInsights #HealthcareLeadership #CommunitySupport #MentalHealthMatters