Tell us your mental health story
Help power the Steinberg Institute’s advocacy by sharing your mental health story
We want to hear your story—whether it’s about a behavioral health program or service that changed your life, your experience with housing or hospitalization, your time working in the behavioral health workforce, or your general experience living with a mental illness or substance use disorder.
Every story helps us make the case for a better mental health and substance use care system in California. With your permission, we may share your story with media, feature it on our website, or use it at events and convenings to share the real impact of what’s at stake. If we wish to use your story, we will contact you to collect more information and your express permission.
Featured my mental health journey stories
Tyree Crawford and Angelina Medina are former foster youth. In this video, they share their journeys from system-involved teenagers to empowered Peer Support Specialists at iFoster.
Amber Williams was one of our 2025 Mental Health Champions. In this video, she shares her story from being a patient at Janus Santa Cruz, to running it.
Salvador Montanez was our 2025 Richard Van Horn Recipient and fellow 2025 Champion. In this video, he shares his journey from incareration to leading Mono County’s Behavioral Health Department.