![jessica cruz columbia sc jessica cruz columbia sc](https://www.millmag.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/LaJessicaStringfellow.jpg)
She holds a Master’s of Public Administration with an emphasis in Health Services from the University of San Francisco and a BA in Mass Communications from California State University at Sacramento, where she is a guest professor. Jessica previously served as the Executive Director of Muscular Dystrophy Association and worked in key positions at the California Hospital Association and the California Broadcasters Association. An avid sports fan, she played basketball in college and still shoots hoops with her husband, a physical education teacher. Jessica lives in Sacramento with her husband, Markam, children Ella and M.J, along with their golden retriever, Rudy. I have a passion for change, a passion for people, a passion to make this world a better place, a passion for NAMI.” I have a passion for change, a passion for people, a passion to make this world a better place, a passion for NAMI.” “I don’t ever give up. But there is still a long way to go.”ĭespite the inevitable obstacles ahead, Jessica is determined to continue to advocate for those living with mental illness. “Mental illness is a hot topic now,” she says. The more people feel comfortable discussing mental health, the more likely they are to seek treatment earlier and achieve recovery. Jessica is encouraged to see attitudes toward mental illness starting to shift. The people who came before me are my heroes. She also acknowledges the achievements of past NAMI California leaders. “You can’t win a basketball game alone - you have to have a team,” she explains, borrowing an analogy from her favorite sport. Jessica is proud of the NAMI California’s progress, giving credit to the entire organization, including the board, staff and affiliates. Current priorities include shaping sound mental health policy, decriminalizing mental illness, reducing stigma, building capacity for NAMI affiliates, creating new partnerships, reaching out to diverse communities, and ensuring individuals and families living with mental illness have access to the services and support they need. Under Jessica’s leadership, NAMI California has tripled its staff, tripled its budget, forged new alliances, launched innovative programs and expanded existing ones.
![jessica cruz columbia sc jessica cruz columbia sc](https://sc.edu/about/offices_and_divisions/career_center/images/profile_images/gibson_jessica.jpg)
JESSICA CRUZ COLUMBIA SC HOW TO
It also taught me how to set boundaries.” “The Family-to-Family class gave me confidence to talk about mental illness and compassion towards my mother. The class gave her a newfound understanding of her mother’s mental illness and crystallized her commitment to NAMI. “I want NAMI to be considered the agency on mental illness.” “When people think of mental illness, I want them to think of NAMI first. I want NAMI to be considered the agency on mental illness.”Īfter starting her new job, Jessica signed up for a Family-to-Family class offered by NAMI Sacramento. “When people think of mental illness, I want them to think of NAMI first,” she says. Ever since, she’s been on a mission to make NAMI a household name so other individuals and families living with mental illness know immediately where to turn for answers. Jessica was hired as Deputy Director and was soon promoted to Executive Director. “I asked, ‘Why didn’t I know about this before?’ ” Looking back, she calls her introduction to NAMI serendipitous. I’m lucky to be in this position.”īut before she interviewed with NAMI California, Jessica had never heard of NAMI – even though she grew up with a mother who battled borderline personality disorder. She speaks earnestly about her vision for NAMI California and her compassion for those affected by mental illness. When you meet NAMI California Executive Director Jessica Cruz, it quickly becomes clear she’s an enthusiastic champion of NAMI and a tenacious force for mental health.