In 2019, Taun Hall’s 18 year-old son, Miles, was in the midst of a mental health crisis in their affluent, suburban community of Walnut Creek, California. The police responded, and within 30 seconds, Miles was shot and killed. What would have happened if Taun called 988 instead of 911? Would Miles still be alive? With insight from Taun Hall, Tom Insel, Dr. Altha Stewart, and Asantewaa Boykin, Stephanie explores how we got stuck with such a fractured system in the first place, the human toll, particularly in communities of color, and how communities are fighting to build better solutions for all. Zak Williams, our Special Service Correspondent, joins with specific actions we can take in the fight. 



SHOW NOTES

Navigating Crisis
Check out the guide from NAMI to learn how to navigate a crisis and the JED Foundation on how to talk to your friends who might be struggling.

https://www.nami.org/Your-Journey/Living-with-a-Mental-Health-Condition/What-to-Do-In-a-Crisis

https://jedfoundation.org/mental-health-resource-center/

Mental Health x Criminal Justice
Explore the intersection between mental health and criminal justice.

https://thejusttrust.org/

https://campaignzero.org/#vision

Support Our Guests
Learn more about Taun Hall’s work getting 988 policy passed in her community, and read about what Asantewaa Boykin is doing to make mental health crisis response more accessible. 

https://www.themileshallfoundation.org/

https://www.antipoliceterrorproject.org/mh-first-oakland



CREDITS

Call For Help is a Lemonada Media original presented by Sozosei Foundation. Hosting and story editing were done by me, Stephanie Wittels Wachs. Our producers are Alie Kilts and Alexa Lim. Tess Novotny is our associate producer. Natasha Jacobs is our engineer and sound designer. Music is by Xander Singh with additional music by Natasha Jacobs. Naomi Barr is our fact checker. Executive producers are Zak Williams, Jessica Cordova Kramer and me. We are so grateful to our show sponsors The Jed Foundation, National Alliance on Mental Illness and The Just Trust. And a special thanks to Chrystal Genesis and Jackie Danziger for additional support. 

You can follow me on Twitter and Instagram @wittelsstephanie, and stay up to date with Lemonada on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @lemonadamedia. You can also get premium content and behind the scenes material by subscribing to Lemonada Premium on Apple Podcasts.

For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and all other Lemonada series, you can visit lemonadamedia.com/sponsors. And finally, to follow along with a transcript, go to lemonadamedia.com/show/callforhelp shortly after the air date.

In 2019, Taun Hall’s 18 year-old son, Miles, was in the midst of a mental health crisis in their affluent, suburban community of Walnut Creek, California. The police responded, and within 30 seconds, Miles was shot and killed. What would have happened if Taun called 988 instead of 911? Would Miles still be alive? With insight from Taun Hall, Tom Insel, Dr. Altha Stewart, and Asantewaa Boykin, Stephanie explores how we got stuck with such a fractured system in the first place, the human toll, particularly in communities of color, and how communities are fighting to build better solutions for all. Zak Williams, our Special Service Correspondent, joins with specific actions we can take in the fight. 
 
SHOW NOTES
Navigating Crisis Check out the guide from NAMI to learn how to navigate a crisis and the JED Foundation on how to talk to your friends who might be struggling.
<a href="https://www.nami.org/Your-Journey/Living-with-a-Mental-Health-Condition/What-to-Do-In-a-Crisis">https://www.nami.org/Your-Journey/Living-with-a-Mental-Health-Condition/What-to-Do-In-a-Crisis</a>
<a href="https://jedfoundation.org/mental-health-resource-center/">https://jedfoundation.org/mental-health-resource-center/</a>
Mental Health x Criminal Justice Explore the intersection between mental health and criminal justice.
<a href="https://thejusttrust.org/">https://thejusttrust.org/</a>
<a href="https://campaignzero.org/#vision">https://campaignzero.org/#vision</a>
Support Our Guests Learn more about Taun Hall’s work getting 988 policy passed in her community, and read about what Asantewaa Boykin is doing to make mental health crisis response more accessible. 
<a href="https://www.themileshallfoundation.org/">https://www.themileshallfoundation.org/</a>
<a href="https://www.antipoliceterrorproject.org/mh-first-oakland">https://www.antipoliceterrorproject.org/mh-first-oakland</a> 
CREDITS
Call For Help is a Lemonada Media original presented by Sozosei Foundation. Hosting and story editing were done by me, Stephanie Wittels Wachs. Our producers are Alie Kilts and Alexa Lim. Tess Novotny is our associate producer. Natasha Jacobs is our engineer and sound designer. Music is by Xander Singh with additional music by Natasha Jacobs. Naomi Barr is our fact checker. Executive producers are Zak Williams, Jessica Cordova Kramer and me. We are so grateful to our show sponsors The Jed Foundation, National Alliance on Mental Illness and The Just Trust. And a special thanks to Chrystal Genesis and Jackie Danziger for additional support. 
You can follow me on Twitter and Instagram @wittelsstephanie, and stay up to date with Lemonada on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @lemonadamedia. You can also get premium content and behind the scenes material by subscribing to Lemonada Premium on Apple Podcasts.
For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and all other Lemonada series, you can visit lemonadamedia.com/sponsors. And finally, to follow along with a transcript, go to lemonadamedia.com/show/callforhelp shortly after the air date.

In times of need, who do you turn to? What systems do you believe are there to catch you if you fall? Is there a way to interrupt generations of trauma and family violence? What might the world look like if we decriminalized mental illness, substance use disorder, and poverty?  Call Declined follows the lives of two extraordinary women, Kamisha Thomas and Aimee Wissman, and the captivating story of how they fell through a frayed safety net and how resilience, friendship, and the power of creativity enabled them to survive the grim walls of the Dayton Correctional Institution. It is a story of how art became their north star and inspiration for what was to come when they finally were released from prison.

Call Declined is hosted by Melissa Beck, the executive director of the Sozosei Foundation.

To learn more about our country's mental health system, check out the episodes in this feed marked Call For Help, hosted by Stephanie Wittels Wachs, which explores the promise and perils of the nationwide rollout of the 988 hotline.

Call Declined is presented by the Sozosei Foundation, a philanthropic arm of Otsuka. The Foundation’s goal is to increase access to mental healthcare in order to eliminate the inappropriate use of jails and prisons for the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness in the United States. Learn more at www.SozoseiFoundation.org. 

The Sozosei Foundation extends special thanks to Aimee Wissman and Kamisha Thomas, visionary artists and co-founders of The Returning Artists Guild whose creativity, resilience, and lived experience inspire us to build a world where mental illness is not a crime. To learn more about the Guild visit www.thereturningartistsguild.org.

Please note that this podcast contains mature content, including explicit language and discussions about drug use and other potentially sensitive topics. The views expressed are solely those of the participants and do not reflect the opinions of the Sozosei Foundation, podcast host or sponsors. Listener discretion is advised. This content is intended for mature audiences and is not suitable for all listeners.

In times of need, who do you turn to? What systems do you believe are there to catch you if you fall? Is there a way to interrupt generations of trauma and family violence? What might the world look like if we decriminalized mental illness, substance use disorder, and poverty?  Call Declined follows the lives of two extraordinary women, Kamisha Thomas and Aimee Wissman, and the captivating story of how they fell through a frayed safety net and how resilience, friendship, and the power of creativity enabled them to survive the grim walls of the Dayton Correctional Institution. It is a story of how art became their north star and inspiration for what was to come when they finally were released from prison.
Call Declined is hosted by<a href="https://t.sidekickopen23.com/Ctc/I6+23284/cW0lK04/JkM2-6qcW6N1vHY6lZ3n9W4-qLY14xfbx9V5cbH-1svWFGW55J7gS51Ns-QW4LcHtY8bFvMzW8254MD6P_mBSW3hM0TH6VGjj1W8hKb7S6D9PxGN8hDnTcfYzz9W3JVw074tcM1ZW4mDjDF4wfTjGW6YN-kH9b5gMDW4J0d4w8dZ7GhW2gf5hh4LGq2yW8sPNY14sKQNbN8pW1JFqNWD4W3YSxtQ5Ns5kYW1phv6P7S_gbcW4Hxl2X4s18w0N4DmFGbTybWfW8hPNBT93KTg1W61PD4Q50Yj9gW7Kt-pG6RL1DYf1p_7Yj04"> Melissa Beck</a>, the executive director of the<a href="https://www.sozoseifoundation.org/"> Sozosei Foundation</a>.
To learn more about our country's mental health system, check out the episodes in this feed marked Call For Help, hosted by Stephanie Wittels Wachs, which explores the promise and perils of the nationwide rollout of the 988 hotline.
Call Declined is presented by the Sozosei Foundation, a philanthropic arm of Otsuka. The Foundation’s goal is to increase access to mental healthcare in order to eliminate the inappropriate use of jails and prisons for the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness in the United States. Learn more at <a href="http://www.sozoseifoundation.org">www.SozoseiFoundation.org</a>. 
The Sozosei Foundation extends special thanks to Aimee Wissman and Kamisha Thomas, visionary artists and co-founders of The Returning Artists Guild whose creativity, resilience, and lived experience inspire us to build a world where mental illness is not a crime. To learn more about the Guild visit <a href="http://www.thereturningartistsguild.org/">www.thereturningartistsguild.org</a>.
Please note that this podcast contains mature content, including explicit language and discussions about drug use and other potentially sensitive topics. The views expressed are solely those of the participants and do not reflect the opinions of the Sozosei Foundation, podcast host or sponsors. Listener discretion is advised. This content is intended for mature audiences and is not suitable for all listeners.

Call Declined

Call for Help: Mental Illness Is Not A Crime

Many wonderful people helped make and inform the Call Declined podcast. In this special bonus episode, we hear from three people who are very important in the stories of Aimee’s and Kamisha’s lives–their parents. Through our conversations across generations we hear echoes of trauma, abuse, and incarceration. And we see a system that too often declines calls for help. But we also find hope for a world where those calls are answered.  





Additional Resources:

Kamisha Thomas’s Portfolio: https://thomaskamisha.myportfolio.com/ (portfolio)

https://www.instagram.com/kdenee_614/ (Instagram)

Aimee Wissman’s work: https://aimeewissman.myportfolio.com/work (portfolio) https://www.instagram.com/aimeeinks/ (Instagram)

Pens to Pictures: https://wexarts.org/education/pens-pictures



Call Declined is hosted by Melissa Beck and presented by the Sozosei Foundation, a philanthropic arm of Otsuka. The Foundation’s goal is to increase access to mental healthcare in order to eliminate the inappropriate use of jails and prisons for the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness in the United States. Learn more at www.SozoseiFoundation.org. 

The Sozosei Foundation extends special thanks to Aimee Wissman and Kamisha Thomas, visionary artists and co-founders of The Returning Artists Guild whose creativity, resilience, and lived experience inspire us to build a world where mental illness is not a crime. To learn more about the Guild visit www.thereturningartistsguild.org.



Thank you for listening to Call Declined. To help us learn more about what is resonating and how we can keep creating great content, please take our short listener survey at bit.ly/calldeclined.



And stay up to date with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia. 



For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors.



Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show and get bonus content. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium.



Please note that this podcast contains mature content, including explicit language and discussions about drug use and other potentially sensitive topics. The views expressed are solely those of the participants and do not reflect the opinions of the Sozosei Foundation, podcast host or sponsors. Listener discretion is advised. This content is intended for mature audiences and is not suitable for all listeners.

Many wonderful people helped make and inform the Call Declined podcast. In this special bonus episode, we hear from three people who are very important in the stories of Aimee’s and Kamisha’s lives–their parents. Through our conversations across generations we hear echoes of trauma, abuse, and incarceration. And we see a system that too often declines calls for help. But we also find hope for a world where those calls are answered.  
 
Additional Resources:
Kamisha Thomas’s Portfolio: <a href="https://thomaskamisha.myportfolio.com/">https://thomaskamisha.myportfolio.com/</a> (portfolio)
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/kdenee_614/">https://www.instagram.com/kdenee_614/</a> (Instagram)
Aimee Wissman’s work: <a href="https://aimeewissman.myportfolio.com/work">https://aimeewissman.myportfolio.com/work</a> (portfolio) <a href="https://www.instagram.com/aimeeinks/">https://www.instagram.com/aimeeinks/</a> (Instagram)
Pens to Pictures: <a href="https://wexarts.org/education/pens-pictures">https://wexarts.org/education/pens-pictures</a> 
 
Call Declined is hosted by Melissa Beck and presented by the Sozosei Foundation, a philanthropic arm of Otsuka. The Foundation’s goal is to increase access to mental healthcare in order to eliminate the inappropriate use of jails and prisons for the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness in the United States. Learn more at <a href="http://www.sozoseifoundation.org">www.SozoseiFoundation.org</a>. 
The Sozosei Foundation extends special thanks to Aimee Wissman and Kamisha Thomas, visionary artists and co-founders of The Returning Artists Guild whose creativity, resilience, and lived experience inspire us to build a world where mental illness is not a crime. To learn more about the Guild visit <a href="http://www.thereturningartistsguild.org/">www.thereturningartistsguild.org</a>.
 
Thank you for listening to Call Declined. To help us learn more about what is resonating and how we can keep creating great content, please take our short listener survey at <a href="http://www.bit.ly/calldeclined">bit.ly/calldeclined</a>.
 
And stay up to date with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia. 
 
For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to <a href="http://lemonadamedia.com/sponsors">lemonadamedia.com/sponsors</a>.
 
Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show and get bonus content. Subscribe today at <a href="http://bit.ly/lemonadapremium">bit.ly/lemonadapremium</a>.
 
Please note that this podcast contains mature content, including explicit language and discussions about drug use and other potentially sensitive topics. The views expressed are solely those of the participants and do not reflect the opinions of the Sozosei Foundation, podcast host or sponsors. Listener discretion is advised. This content is intended for mature audiences and is not suitable for all listeners.

Call Declined: Bonus Episode – The Parents

Starting a non-profit is a challenging and confusing process that also, sometimes, includes joyful shenanigans. In this episode, we get a behind-the-scenes look at how Aimee and Kamisha approached building The Returning Artists Guild. We learn how they met and formed a relationship with Melissa and we hear from a variety of philanthropic funders about why the arts are important to ending mass incarceration. Kamisha and Aimee speak candidly about their vision for the future and what it will take to get there.  



Additional Resources:



Kamisha Thomas’s Portfolio: https://thomaskamisha.myportfolio.com/ (portfolio)

https://www.instagram.com/kdenee_614/ (Instagram)

Aimee Wissman’s work: https://aimeewissman.myportfolio.com/work (portfolio) https://www.instagram.com/aimeeinks/ (Instagram)



Ohio Prison Arts Connection: https://wexarts.org/education/ohio-prison-arts-connection-online

The Wexner Center for the Arts: https://wexarts.org/

California Lawyers for the Arts: https://www.calawyersforthearts.org/

Marking Time: Art in the Age of Mass Incarceration (MOMA exhibit): https://www.moma.org/calendar/exhibitions/5208

Marking Time: Art in the Age of Mass Incarceration (Book by Dr. Nicole Fleetwood): https://www.hup.harvard.edu/books/9780674919228

Art for Justice: https://artforjusticefund.org/

Agnes Gund Sells a Lichtenstein to Start Criminal Justice Fund (New York Times): https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/11/arts/design/agnes-gund-sells-a-lichtenstein-to-start-criminal-justice-fund.html

Imagining Freedom (The Mellon Foundation): https://www.mellon.org/article/imagining-freedom-initiative

Fitton Center for Creative Arts: https://www.fittoncenter.org/

Cummings Center for the History of Psychology: https://www.uakron.edu/chp/



Julie B. Ehrlich–Director of Presidential Initiatives and Chief of Staff (Mellon Foundation): https://www.mellon.org/people/julie-b-ehrlich

Rick Kellar–President and CEO (Peg’s Foundation): https://pegsfoundation.org/leadership/#rick-kellar-mba-president-and-ceo

Aliyah Salim – Program Officer (Galaxy Gives): https://www.galaxygives.com/team/aliyah-paulsingh



Call Declined is hosted by Melissa Beck and presented by the Sozosei Foundation, a philanthropic arm of Otsuka. The Foundation’s goal is to increase access to mental healthcare in order to eliminate the inappropriate use of jails and prisons for the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness in the United States. Learn more at www.SozoseiFoundation.org. 



The Sozosei Foundation extends special thanks to Aimee Wissman and Kamisha Thomas, visionary artists and co-founders of The Returning Artists Guild whose creativity, resilience, and lived experience inspire us to build a world where mental illness is not a crime. To learn more about the Guild visit www.thereturningartistsguild.org.



Thank you for listening to Call Declined. To help us learn more about what is resonating and how we can keep creating great content, please take our short listener survey at bit.ly/calldeclined.



And stay up to date with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia. 



For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors.



Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show and get bonus content. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium.



Please note that this podcast contains mature content, including explicit language and discussions about drug use and other potentially sensitive topics. The views expressed are solely those of the participants and do not reflect the opinions of the Sozosei Foundation, podcast host or sponsors. Listener discretion is advised. This content is intended for mature audiences and is not suitable for all listeners.

Starting a non-profit is a challenging and confusing process that also, sometimes, includes joyful shenanigans. In this episode, we get a behind-the-scenes look at how Aimee and Kamisha approached building The Returning Artists Guild. We learn how they met and formed a relationship with Melissa and we hear from a variety of philanthropic funders about why the arts are important to ending mass incarceration. Kamisha and Aimee speak candidly about their vision for the future and what it will take to get there.  
 
Additional Resources:
 
Kamisha Thomas’s Portfolio: <a href="https://thomaskamisha.myportfolio.com/">https://thomaskamisha.myportfolio.com/</a> (portfolio)
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/kdenee_614/">https://www.instagram.com/kdenee_614/</a> (Instagram)
Aimee Wissman’s work: <a href="https://aimeewissman.myportfolio.com/work">https://aimeewissman.myportfolio.com/work</a> (portfolio) <a href="https://www.instagram.com/aimeeinks/">https://www.instagram.com/aimeeinks/</a> (Instagram)
 
Ohio Prison Arts Connection: <a href="https://wexarts.org/education/ohio-prison-arts-connection-online">https://wexarts.org/education/ohio-prison-arts-connection-online</a> 
The Wexner Center for the Arts: <a href="https://wexarts.org/">https://wexarts.org/</a> 
California Lawyers for the Arts: <a href="https://www.calawyersforthearts.org/">https://www.calawyersforthearts.org/</a> 
Marking Time: Art in the Age of Mass Incarceration (MOMA exhibit): <a href="https://www.moma.org/calendar/exhibitions/5208">https://www.moma.org/calendar/exhibitions/5208</a> 
Marking Time: Art in the Age of Mass Incarceration (Book by Dr. Nicole Fleetwood): <a href="https://www.hup.harvard.edu/books/9780674919228">https://www.hup.harvard.edu/books/9780674919228</a> 
Art for Justice: <a href="https://artforjusticefund.org/">https://artforjusticefund.org/</a>
Agnes Gund Sells a Lichtenstein to Start Criminal Justice Fund (New York Times): <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/11/arts/design/agnes-gund-sells-a-lichtenstein-to-start-criminal-justice-fund.html">https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/11/arts/design/agnes-gund-sells-a-lichtenstein-to-start-criminal-justice-fund.html</a> 
Imagining Freedom (The Mellon Foundation): <a href="https://www.mellon.org/article/imagining-freedom-initiative">https://www.mellon.org/article/imagining-freedom-initiative</a> 
Fitton Center for Creative Arts: <a href="https://www.fittoncenter.org/">https://www.fittoncenter.org/</a> 
Cummings Center for the History of Psychology: <a href="https://www.uakron.edu/chp/">https://www.uakron.edu/chp/</a> 
 
Julie B. Ehrlich–Director of Presidential Initiatives and Chief of Staff (Mellon Foundation): <a href="https://www.mellon.org/people/julie-b-ehrlich">https://www.mellon.org/people/julie-b-ehrlich</a> 
Rick Kellar–President and CEO (Peg’s Foundation): <a href="https://pegsfoundation.org/leadership/#rick-kellar-mba-president-and-ceo">https://pegsfoundation.org/leadership/#rick-kellar-mba-president-and-ceo</a> 
Aliyah Salim – Program Officer (Galaxy Gives): <a href="https://www.galaxygives.com/team/aliyah-paulsingh">https://www.galaxygives.com/team/aliyah-paulsingh</a> 
 
Call Declined is hosted by Melissa Beck and presented by the Sozosei Foundation, a philanthropic arm of Otsuka. The Foundation’s goal is to increase access to mental healthcare in order to eliminate the inappropriate use of jails and prisons for the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness in the United States. Learn more at <a href="http://www.sozoseifoundation.org">www.SozoseiFoundation.org</a>. 
 
The Sozosei Foundation extends special thanks to Aimee Wissman and Kamisha Thomas, visionary artists and co-founders of The Returning Artists Guild whose creativity, resilience, and lived experience inspire us to build a world where mental illness is not a crime. To learn more about the Guild visit <a href="http://www.thereturningartistsguild.org/">www.thereturningartistsguild.org</a>.
 
Thank you for listening to Call Declined. To help us learn more about what is resonating and how we can keep creating great content, please take our short listener survey at <a href="http://www.bit.ly/calldeclined">bit.ly/calldeclined</a>.
 
And stay up to date with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia. 
 
For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to <a href="http://lemonadamedia.com/sponsors">lemonadamedia.com/sponsors</a>.
 
Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show and get bonus content. Subscribe today at <a href="http://bit.ly/lemonadapremium">bit.ly/lemonadapremium</a>.
 
Please note that this podcast contains mature content, including explicit language and discussions about drug use and other potentially sensitive topics. The views expressed are solely those of the participants and do not reflect the opinions of the Sozosei Foundation, podcast host or sponsors. Listener discretion is advised. This content is intended for mature audiences and is not suitable for all listeners.

Call Declined: Answering the Call

Leaving prison can be overwhelming. The need to navigate societal and technological changes, rebuild relationships, find employment, and find housing can be disorienting and alienating. And the stigma we place on those who have been incarcerated is significant both in human interaction and in policies that make it hard to secure employment, housing, and reconnect with one’s community.



In this episode, we learn what the process of reentry was like for Aimee and Kamisha. And we learn how they're using their knowledge, experience, and art to blaze a trail that makes the process easier for other people in similar situations. 



Additional Resources:

Court-Issued Fines And Fees Frequently Undermine Health Equity (Kathleen Noonan) https://www.healthaffairs.org/content/forefront/court-issued-fines-and-fees-frequently-undermine-health-equity

Mass Supervision (Vincent Schiraldi) https://thenewpress.com/books/mass-supervision

The Ohio Justice and Policy Center: https://ohiojpc.org/



Call Declined is hosted by Melissa Beck and presented by the Sozosei Foundation, a philanthropic arm of Otsuka. The Foundation’s goal is to increase access to mental healthcare in order to eliminate the inappropriate use of jails and prisons for the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness in the United States. Learn more at www.SozoseiFoundation.org. 



The Sozosei Foundation extends special thanks to Aimee Wissman and Kamisha Thomas, visionary artists and co-founders of The Returning Artists Guild whose creativity, resilience, and lived experience inspire us to build a world where mental illness is not a crime. To learn more about the Guild visit www.thereturningartistsguild.org.



Thank you for listening to Call Declined. To help us learn more about what is resonating and how we can keep creating great content, please take our short listener survey at bit.ly/calldeclined.



And stay up to date with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia. 



For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors.



Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show and get bonus content. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium.



Please note that this podcast contains mature content, including explicit language and discussions about drug use and other potentially sensitive topics. The views expressed are solely those of the participants and do not reflect the opinions of the Sozosei Foundation, podcast host or sponsors. Listener discretion is advised. This content is intended for mature audiences and is not suitable for all listeners.

Leaving prison can be overwhelming. The need to navigate societal and technological changes, rebuild relationships, find employment, and find housing can be disorienting and alienating. And the stigma we place on those who have been incarcerated is significant both in human interaction and in policies that make it hard to secure employment, housing, and reconnect with one’s community.
 
In this episode, we learn what the process of reentry was like for Aimee and Kamisha. And we learn how they're using their knowledge, experience, and art to blaze a trail that makes the process easier for other people in similar situations. 
 
Additional Resources:
Court-Issued Fines And Fees Frequently Undermine Health Equity (Kathleen Noonan) <a href="https://www.healthaffairs.org/content/forefront/court-issued-fines-and-fees-frequently-undermine-health-equity">https://www.healthaffairs.org/content/forefront/court-issued-fines-and-fees-frequently-undermine-health-equity</a> 
Mass Supervision (Vincent Schiraldi) <a href="https://thenewpress.com/books/mass-supervision">https://thenewpress.com/books/mass-supervision</a> 
The Ohio Justice and Policy Center: <a href="https://ohiojpc.org/">https://ohiojpc.org/</a> 
 
Call Declined is hosted by Melissa Beck and presented by the Sozosei Foundation, a philanthropic arm of Otsuka. The Foundation’s goal is to increase access to mental healthcare in order to eliminate the inappropriate use of jails and prisons for the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness in the United States. Learn more at <a href="http://www.sozoseifoundation.org">www.SozoseiFoundation.org</a>. 
 
The Sozosei Foundation extends special thanks to Aimee Wissman and Kamisha Thomas, visionary artists and co-founders of The Returning Artists Guild whose creativity, resilience, and lived experience inspire us to build a world where mental illness is not a crime. To learn more about the Guild visit <a href="http://www.thereturningartistsguild.org/">www.thereturningartistsguild.org</a>.
 
Thank you for listening to Call Declined. To help us learn more about what is resonating and how we can keep creating great content, please take our short listener survey at <a href="http://www.bit.ly/calldeclined">bit.ly/calldeclined</a>.
 
And stay up to date with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia. 
 
For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to <a href="http://lemonadamedia.com/sponsors">lemonadamedia.com/sponsors</a>.
 
Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show and get bonus content. Subscribe today at <a href="http://bit.ly/lemonadapremium">bit.ly/lemonadapremium</a>.
 
Please note that this podcast contains mature content, including explicit language and discussions about drug use and other potentially sensitive topics. The views expressed are solely those of the participants and do not reflect the opinions of the Sozosei Foundation, podcast host or sponsors. Listener discretion is advised. This content is intended for mature audiences and is not suitable for all listeners.

Call for Help: Mental Illness Is Not A Crime

Call Declined

In 1 playlist(s)

Call Declined

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips