John Nutting; Treat Brain Disorders Like Any Other Illness
20/05/2026 | 27 min
Send us Fan Mail We sit down with former Maine State Senator John Nutting to talk about why serious mental illness belongs in the medical system, not the jail system, and how court ordered treatment can keep people alive and communities safer. We walk through Maine’s Progressive Treatment Plan, the fight to fund and implement it, and what families can do to push for mental health legislation that actually works. • John Nutting’s background in public service and the case for treating brain disorders like any other medical condition • What Maine calls AOT and how the Progressive Treatment Plan works in practice • Why anosognosia changes the ethics and logistics of “voluntary” treatment • The gap between family needs and what policy often delivers • How cycling through hospitals and jails destroys bed capacity and budgets • Lessons from other states, including Kendra’s Law, Kevin’s Law, and concerns about voluntary-only models • What separates real legislation from bills that look good but fail in implementation • Concrete ways to advocate, find your state laws, and speak to the right lawmakers If you know someone who has a story to share, tell them to contact us at why notme.world. One last thing spread the word about why not me.
INTRO/OUTRO Music: T. Wild Mantor Music BMI
https://tonymantor.com https://Facebook.com/tonymantor https://instagram.com/tonymantor https://twitter.com/tonymantor https://youtube.com/tonymantormusic intro/outro music bed written by T. Wild Why Not Me the World music published by Mantor Music (BMI)
Rep Ann Meyer: How A State Lawmaker Builds Mental Health Support That Works
18/05/2026 | 25 min
Send us Fan Mail We talk with Iowa State Representative Ann Meyer about how mental health legislation gets built and why access to care still fails families in crisis. We dig into provider shortages, the fight for mandatory follow-up after commitment, and how constituents can move lawmakers with personal stories and local relationships. • her path from nursing to the Iowa House and why constituent stories changed her focus • why access to mental health care breaks down during a crisis and what “waiting” really means • the provider shortage problem and steps to grow psychiatry and therapy capacity • incentives that help recruit and retain clinicians in rural states • why 30 days of treatment is often not enough for severe mental illness • the case management follow-up bill that passed the House then stalled in the Senate • how law enforcement and ERs absorb the cost when the system fails • homelessness, shelter rules, and the overlap with substance use disorder • how to speed change through education, budgeting strategies, and persistent advocacy • why reaching out to your state legislator works and how to do it with a personal story If you know someone who has a story to share, tell them to contact us at why notme.world. One last thing spread the word about why not me.
INTRO/OUTRO Music: T. Wild Mantor Music BMI
https://tonymantor.com https://Facebook.com/tonymantor https://instagram.com/tonymantor https://twitter.com/tonymantor https://youtube.com/tonymantormusic intro/outro music bed written by T. Wild Why Not Me the World music published by Mantor Music (BMI)
Senator Christine Cohen and advocate Denise Paley Legislating Mental Health Care
15/05/2026 | 32 min
Send us Fan Mail We sit down with Connecticut State Senator Christine Cohen and advocate Denise Paley to unpack how mental health legislation gets built, watered down, and sometimes rescued through strategy and coalition work. We focus on crisis intervention training, prison mental health care, and the hard questions around rights, re-entry, and what real accountability looks like. • Senator Cohen’s personal path into mental health advocacy • why mental health bills stall between chambers and committees • compromise as a necessity and a long-term risk • budget priorities and the fight to fund care • stigma around mental illness and incarcerated people • how advocates and legislators build trust and momentum • crisis intervention team training as a practical reform • re-entry realities and why untreated illness drives recidivism • staffing shortages for corrections officers and mental health providers • Assisted Outpatient Treatment and the ethics of forced care • anosognosia and why refusal is not always choice • prevention through school-based mental health support • coalition building and making marginalized people visible If you know someone who has a story to share, tell them to contact us at whynotme.world. One last thing spread the word about why not me.
INTRO/OUTRO Music: T. Wild Mantor Music BMI
https://tonymantor.com https://Facebook.com/tonymantor https://instagram.com/tonymantor https://twitter.com/tonymantor https://youtube.com/tonymantormusic intro/outro music bed written by T. Wild Why Not Me the World music published by Mantor Music (BMI)
Senator Cindy Friedman Explains What It Takes To Fix A Broken Mental Health System
13/05/2026 | 28 min
Send us Fan Mail We sit down with Massachusetts Senator Cindy Friedman to talk about how mental health laws change real access to care, and why families still hit walls even when “parity” exists. We dig into AOT, crisis diversion, insurance limits, and the practical fixes that keep people out of ERs and jails. • her personal path into serious mental illness advocacy and why systems matter • what changed after the Mental Health ABC Act 2.0 and why outpatient demand rises • why reimbursement rates still skew against behavioral health despite parity laws • how crisis-first funding leaves ongoing care underpaid and hard to find • trauma as a driver of worsening illness and the gap in trauma-informed support • why Massachusetts has no AOT law and how old legal standards shape treatment today • addressing fears of coercion while explaining least restrictive court-ordered services • co-responder teams that pair police with social workers for de-escalation • restoration centers as an alternative to ER screening and quick discharge • mental illness inside county jails and how sheriffs can shift outcomes • rural mental health access challenges plus telehealth parity and community clinics • why psychiatric meds are not one-size-fits-all and how insurers resist trial periods if you know someone who has a story to share tell them to contact us at whynotme.world one last thing spread the word about why not me our conversations our inspiring guest the show you are not alone in this world
https://tonymantor.com https://Facebook.com/tonymantor https://instagram.com/tonymantor https://twitter.com/tonymantor https://youtube.com/tonymantormusic intro/outro music bed written by T. Wild Why Not Me the World music published by Mantor Music (BMI)
Senator Manka Dhingra: A Senator Maps The Gap Between Passing A Bill And Actually Helping People
11/05/2026 | 26 min
Send us Fan Mail We talk with Washington State Senator Manka Dhingra about why mental health care so often lands in the justice system and what it takes to change that through smart legislation and real implementation. We dig into funding, workforce, 988 crisis response, diversion programs, and how communities can push practical mental health reform that actually reaches people.
• her path from prosecutor work to mental health court and forensic mental health • why jails and prisons function as default mental health hospitals • the biggest legislative roadblocks: funding levels and views of individual liberty • assisted outpatient treatment in Washington and why implementation varies by county • how Washington built a stakeholder-driven model to implement 988 • oversight, metrics, and the workforce shortage that blocks care even with funding • rural mental health access, telehealth, and consultation lines like PAL • diversion options from first law enforcement contact through jail re-entry supports • sharing best practices across states through conferences, data, and evidence • community-driven policymaking and contacting elected officials with solutions
If you know someone who has a story to share, tell them to contact us at why notme.world. One last thing spread the word about why not me.
INTRO/OUTRO Music: T. Wild Mantor Music BMI
https://tonymantor.com https://Facebook.com/tonymantor https://instagram.com/tonymantor https://twitter.com/tonymantor https://youtube.com/tonymantormusic intro/outro music bed written by T. Wild Why Not Me the World music published by Mantor Music (BMI)
Autism, Mental Health, Advocacy & Human Stories.Embracing Autism/Mental Health Worldwide.Autism is a complex neurodevelopmental condition affecting millions worldwide, characterized by challenges in social interaction, communication, and repetitive behaviors. Despite increasing recognition, there remains a lack of understanding and awareness about the condition. Mental health encompasses a range of conditions impacting emotional, psychological, and social well-being, affecting millions globally. It includes disorders like anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and psychosis. Schizophrenia is marked by symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking, while psychosis involves a loss of contact with reality, often presenting with similar symptoms. Despite growing awareness, stigma and misconceptions about mental health, particularly schizophrenia and psychosis, persist, underscoring the need for greater understanding and support. From celebrating neurodiversity to breaking down stigma, we create a safe space for listeners to learn, grow, and feel seen. Whether you're on the spectrum, a caregiver, or an advocate, join our global community for inspiring conversations and empowering resources that uplift and unite. Tune in to embrace understanding, healing, and hope worldwide! Together, we can create a more informed and compassionate society for individuals with Autism and Mental Illness.
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