Why Not Me The World special event series Humanity Over Handcuffs: The Silent Crisis is making an impact. Tony Mantor’s Why Not Me The World  has given advocates a voice to be heard, creating awareness, acceptance, and a better understanding of severe mental illness throughout the world.

NSSC is grateful for the collaboration and Tony’s dedication to having important discussions around the criminalization of mental illness. Eighty percent of the participants for Mental Health Awareness Month in May 2025 were NSSC members — thank you for your commitment to helping to shatter the silence and inspire change!

The overwhelming success has resulted in Tony committing to continuing his efforts. His rebranded Why Not Me: Embracing Autism / Mental Health Worldwide will allow for this important work to continue.

Starting May 1st for Mental Health Awareness Month, stay tuned for a special event: Crafting Justice: Empowering Autism and Mental Health Through Legislation.
This series will highlight legislators who are making a meaningful impact through policies that support individuals and families in need, as well as advocates driving real change.
If you know a legislator or advocate who should be recognized—or if you’d like to be featured on Tony’s podcast—please reach out to Tony at Tony@tonymantor.com.
Join us as we shine a light on the leaders advancing mental health awareness and reform.

​Listen here:  podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tony-mantor-why-not-me/id1688757384

Daily Guest Lineup featuring participants for the collaboration (click the underlined links to follow):

2026 Episodes

1/7/26: Rachel Streiff: Mad Moms Rising for Mental Health Reform

3/4/26: Dr. Laitman: A Father's Journey to Transform Schizophrenia Recovery

5/1/26: NSSC: Voices of Change Part 1: Serious Mental Illness, Missed Care, and the Criminal Justice Gap

5/4/26: NSSC: Voices of Change Part 2: Serious Mental Illness, Missed Care, and the Criminal Justice Gap

5/6/26 NSSC: Voices of Change Part 3: Serious Mental Illness, Missed Care and the Criminal Justice Gap

​5/8/26 Dr. Tim Murphy: How A Psychologist In Congress Rewired Mental Health Policy


2025 Episodes

4/15/25: John Puls, LCSW, MCAP: Navigating the Criminal System

5/1/25: Dr. Tim Murphy: Fight for Mental Health Reform

5/2/25: Katie R Dale: Mental Health Story: Living Beyond Crazy
 
5/3/25: Ashley Smith: From Crisis to Advocacy
​
5/4/25: Carly: From Diagnosis to Detention: How Schizophrenia Changed Two Lives Forever

​5/5/25: Judge Milton Mack: A Man on a Mission to Reform Mental Health

5/6/25: Denise Paley: From Crisis to Advocacy

5/7/25: Joel Corcoran: Welcome, Needed, and Valued: The Clubhouse Approach

5/8/25: Leslie Carpenter: Breaking the Mental Health Crisis Cycle

5/9/25: Justyna Rzewinski, LCSW, PhD(c): A Whistleblower's Fight for Mental Health in Prisons

5/10/25: Jack Wood: A Father's Fight for Mental Health Reform

5/11/25: Sylvia Mignon: When Your Expertise Can't Save Your Child

5/12/25: Seth Kahan: Journey Transforms Mental Health Advocacy in America

5/13/25: Eric Smith: From Music Prodigy to Mental Health Advocate

5/14/25: Dr. Jhilam Biswas: Reveals Paths to Mental Health Reform from Forensic Hospitals to Freedom

5/15/25: Jessica Ferguson: Brother in Crisis: A Family's Desperate Fight for Mental Health Support

5/16/25: Justin Volpe: How Peer Support Changes Lives

5/17/25: Stephanie Beilin: Mother's Journey Through Mental Illness and Incarceration

5/18/25: Colleen Scott: One Mother's Journey Through Schizophrenia

5/19/25: Pete Earley: From Journalist to Advocate

5/20/25: Darrell Herrmann: Straight Talk About Living with a Severe Mental Illness

5/21/25: Sherri Wittwer: Rethinking How We Help People in Mental Health Crisis

5/22/25: Cohen Miles-Rath: How One Man Transformed Crisis into a Call for Change

5/23/25: Crystal Fox: One Mother's Journey Through Tragedy

5/24/25: Eric Dias: Hope, Recovery, and Finding Your Voice with Schizoaffective Disorder

5/25/25: Jason MacKenzie: Healing After Unimaginable Loss

5/26/25: Sheriff Donna DeSimone Buckley: How One Sheriff is Reducing Recidivism Through Compassion

5/27/25: Jerri Clark: A Mother's Journey Through Loss and Advocacy

5/28/25: Lynn Nanos, LICSW: Navigating Psychosis: A Mobile Crisis Worker's Perspective

5/29/25: Laura Craciun: A Son's Mental Illness and a System That Failed Him
 
5/30/25: Ann Corcoran RN, MSN: Psychosis is Not a Choice

5/31/25: Cindee Murphy: When the System Fails; Tristan Murphy's Story Changes Florida Law

6/5/25: Leanna May Franklin: Love Without Structure; Navigating Serious Mental Illness as a Family

7/2/25: Janet Hays: Healing Minds NOLA Journey to Reform Mental Health Systems

7/30/25: Diane Greeley: Redefining Advocacy for Mental Health Reform

8/13/25: Keshawn Williams: Mission: Breaking Stereotypes in Mental Health

9/3/25: Suzanne McCartney: A Sister's Advocacy to Reform System Failures for SMI