Meet SUSAN LEA

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Susan Lea is a clinician-leader and dedicated architect of Serious Mental Illness (SMI) reform. As the South Carolina Policy Director for the National Shattering Silence Coalition, she brings a powerful synthesis of professional expertise and personal resolve to the fight for medical equity. Her advocacy is deeply informed by lived experience with a loved one, driving her commitment to ensuring that "Real Care" becomes a standard reality for every family.

A Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), clinical supervisor, and owner of a successful group practice, Susan has operated at the intersection of clinical excellence and systemic leadership since 2013. Her extensive background in board service and nonprofit collaboration allows her to navigate the complexities of policy with a sophisticated, results-oriented perspective.

In her leadership role with NSSC, Susan applies a trauma-informed, relational lens to policy advocacy and community education. She is focused on dismantling the barriers within South Carolina's fragmented mental health systems, centering the needs of individuals navigating SMI/NFBD. Susan’s work is dedicated to replacing systemic neglect with a continuum of care that honors the dignity of those it serves.