• ALABAMA STATE CHAPTER OF NSSC

No Family Should Have to Wait for a Tragedy to Get Medical Care.

When a loved one is in an acute psychiatric crisis, parents shouldn't be handed handcuffs or told to 'come back tomorrow.' We are family caregivers, doctors, and advocates fighting across Alabama to ensure our children get immediate, compassionate hospital treatment—never again a jail cell.

EXPLORE THE RIVER ACT LEARN ABOUT OUR MISSION
OUR COALITION FOUNDATION

How We Stand With Alabama Families

SSCAL brings together parents, siblings, doctors, and advocates across Alabama to make sure no family walks through an acute psychiatric crisis alone.

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FAMILY SUPPORT

Walking With Families in Crisis

Connecting parents and caregivers with family navigators who have walked in your shoes—offering real guidance, peer support, and a compassionate lifeline when you don't know where to turn.

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AWARENESS & EDUCATION

Shining Light on Severe Brain Illness

Educating first responders, judges, and communities on Anosognosia—a neurological brain condition affecting up to 50% of individuals with severe psychosis that strips away their ability to realize they are sick—so crisis is met with medical care, not judgment.

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CLINICAL PRIMACY

Putting Doctors Back in Charge of Care

Ensuring that when a treating physician certifies an emergency psychiatric hold, administrative red tape and legal delays cannot override a doctor's medical decision.

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LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY

Changing Alabama Law

Fighting in Montgomery to pass The River Act, guaranteeing that emergency medical holds are honored across every county line in our state so care always precedes tragedy.

STATE & NATIONAL COALITION

Local Grassroots Advocacy. National Policy Impact.

The Shattering Silence Coalition Alabama (SSCAL) is the official state chapter of the National Shattering Silence Coalition (NSSC). We bridge national research and legal strategy directly into Montgomery.

NATIONAL BACKING

National Policy Foundation

Backed by NSSC National, we leverage evidence-based policy research, legal frameworks, and federal insights to challenge the nation's standard of mental health neglect.

National Shattering Silence Coalition (NSSC) Official Logo NSSC National Network
STATE ACTION

Montgomery Policy Push

We organize directly at the state level to pass landmark legislation—like The River Act—ensuring medical care precedes tragedy across all 67 Alabama counties.

Alabama 67 Counties Outreach Map Statewide 67-County Outreach →
GRASSROOTS VOICE

Lived Experience

We unite Alabama family caregivers, clinicians, and individuals with lived experience, turning personal heartbreak into a coordinated, unstoppable advocacy force.

SSCAL Advocates Manning Community Outreach Table Community Outreach & Mobilization →
🌐 NATIONAL PARENT ORGANIZATION

Explore the National Shattering Silence Coalition

Looking for family resource guides, national support groups, expert Peer & Pro Talks, or federal advocacy initiatives? Visit NSSC National to connect with nationwide programs and policy networks.

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We refuse to accept that severe, neurobiological brain diseases should be treated with incarceration instead of medical accountability.

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SSCAL LEGISLATIVE PRIORITY #1

Help Us Pass The River Act This Session

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Legislative Update: Rep. Jeana Ross has officially laid The River Act and River Alert on the table for upcoming committee discussion.

It takes less than 60 seconds to contact your Alabama lawmakers. Join family caregivers, clinicians, and advocates across all 67 counties demanding medical accountability.

TAKE ACTION NOW — SUBMIT LETTER OR CALL

Lived Experience Advocates

Listen to testimonials from Alabama family advocates urging immediate passage of the River Act and River Alert based on their own lived experience.

📣 Have a story to share? Visit The Witness Room to submit your testimony, view more testimonial videos, and read stories from other families across Alabama.
FAMILY CAREGIVER & ADVOCATE

Holly Strayer

Shelby County | Alabama State Director

"The River Act calls for accountability and written documentation of decisions—had this act been in place, it would have saved our family so much useless trauma. Accountability and oversight matter and can save lives."
FAMILY CAREGIVER & ADVOCATE

Tammy Ballentine

Madison County | SSCAL North Alabama Coordinator

"The River Act treats psychosis as the medical emergency that it is—resulting in immediate treatment and continuity of care. Currently, we wait until the dangerous thing happens."
🎙️ SUBMIT YOUR VIDEO OR STORY
ON THE GROUND

Organizing & Mobilizing Across Alabama

From State House rallies and legislative briefings to local town halls and family support circles, our coalition is actively building momentum across all 67 Alabama counties.

📅 CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Upcoming Community Outreach

Join us at upcoming legislative briefings, family advocacy workshops, and regional town halls to learn how you can help pass The River Act in your district.

NEXT UPCOMING EVENT

Out of the Shadows Summit

📍 Oxford, AL

🗓️ September 1, 2026 • 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM CST

COALITION MEETING

North AL Mental Health Coalition Meeting

📍 Huntsville, AL

🗓️ September 8, 2026 • 11:00 AM CST

VIEW ALL UPCOMING EVENTS
📸 ADVOCACY IN ACTION

Recent Events & Highlights

See photos, news coverage, and highlights from our recent State House rallies, coalition meetings, and statewide media appearances.

• STATEWIDE ADVOCACY NETWORK
SSCAL Coalition Members and Advocates

SSCAL Advocates, Families & Clinicians United Across Alabama

EXPLORE PHOTO & VIDEO GALLERY
THE MOVEMENT

Stand With SSCAL Across Alabama

Whether you are a family caregiver, medical professional, advocate, or ally—there are three ways to help replace systemic neglect with medical accountability in our state.

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WHO WE ARE

Our Heart & Mission

Uniting our voices to advocate for individuals living with severe brain disorders, supporting affected families, and pursuing systemic statutory reform to guarantee compassionate care.

READ OUR STORY →
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GET INVOLVED

You Are Not Alone

Join our monthly family support calls, receive real-time legislative alerts, and connect directly with Alabama family navigators who truly understand.

JOIN SSCAL TODAY →
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SUPPORT OUR WORK

Stand With Families

Fuel statehouse advocacy in Montgomery, equip local family caregivers with emergency toolkits, and help us pass The River Act across all 67 counties.

DONATE NOW →