Meet Amy Bassett

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Amy Bassett serves as the Iowa State Co-Director for the National Shattering Silence Coalition (NSSC). Her passion for mental health advocacy began more than 30 years ago when her husband was diagnosed with a serious mental illness at the age of 23, followed by a co-occurring diagnosis. As she navigated the complexities of the mental health system, Amy experienced firsthand the challenges families face in accessing timely treatment, resources, and ongoing support.

Her advocacy became even more personal as both of her adult children were later diagnosed with co-occurring mental health disorders. These lived experiences have fueled Amy's commitment to improving access to care, strengthening continuity of treatment, and advancing legislation that ensures individuals receive the services they need without unnecessary barriers or having to leave Iowa for specialized care.

Amy has volunteered with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Iowa for five years, advocating for individuals and families affected by mental illness and sharing her lived experience with legislators to help improve Iowa's mental health system.

Professionally, Amy has worked at Wesley on Grand, a WesleyLife community, for 25 years and currently serves as Director of Sales. Her work with older adults has reinforced the importance of addressing mental health needs across every stage of life.
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Amy earned her Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations from Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa. She is honored to combine her personal experiences with her professional background to help break the stigma surrounding serious mental illness and advocate for a more compassionate, accessible mental health system for all Iowans.