6:00-7:15 p.m. ET / 3:00-4:15 p.m. PT / 12:00-1:15 p.m. HT / 9:00-10:15 a.m. CT

This session explores civil commitment law through the lens of civil liberties for young adults of transition age. We will consider ethical tensions between a provider or family member's desire to help a young person experiencing serious mental illness and the young person's autonomy. We will discuss the importance of shared decision making and strategies for improving the process for youth and families.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the history of civil commitment in the US.
• Consider justifications for civil commitment and involuntary mental health treatment.
• Identify best practices and practical strategies for shared decision making with youth and families through a civil commitment process.
• Identify key questions for policy and agency decision makers to consider when establishing processes which may lead to civil commitment.

ABOUT THE PRESENTERS

Kristin Thorp, BSW, Youth Engagement Specialist at Youth MOVE National, has ten years of experience in advocacy, youth leadership, and program development, with a special focus on the mental health and criminal justice systems. In addition, she is an advisor on the System of Care Children's Mental Health Initiative and supports national evaluation efforts by conducting qualitative and quantitative research as well as utilizing data to determine technical assistance needs. Prior to joining Youth M.O.V.E. National, Ms. Thorp was the Continuous Quality Improvement Coordinator for Maine's System of Care. Ms. Thorp utilizes her own lived experience, passion, and expertise in positive youth development to bridge multiple perspectives to promote trauma-informed approaches to recovery.

Amanda Lipp is a social entrepreneur working at the intersection of mental health, filmmaking, and philanthropy. Amanda works as a Specialist for the Center for Applied Research Solutions (CARS), is Founder and CEO of The Giving Gallery, and is a Filmmaker at Lipp Studios. She has given over 150 speeches locally and globally, and has made over 20 short documentaries that have influenced policy and practice in youth psychosis, schizophrenia, and treatment paradigms. Amanda serves as the youngest board director of the largest mental health grassroots nonprofit in the U.S., the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), and is a board advisor for the Technology Adolescent Mental Wellness (TAM) research initiative at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Previously, Amanda worked at the California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA) in Sacramento, where she co-designed the first U.S.-hosted 7th International Together Against Stigma conference.