Mental illnesses are health conditions involving changes in emotion, thinking or behavior (or a combination of these). Mental illnesses are associated with distress and/or problems functioning in social, work or family activities. Covid has taken a toll on all of our mental health as individuals, families and whole communities. But long before Covid, mental illness has had a significant impact on individuals, creating unnecessary disability, unemployment,  criminalization, homelessness, and premature death. With the significant public focus on mental illness these days, why do we seem to be unable to find sustainable solutions? Real solutions can only be found by listening to individuals with lived experience and focusing on their rights and dignity. This is the only true counterpoint to the legacy of shame, stigma and discrimination individuals affected by mental illness face.

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Sherri Wittwer is a long-time mental health and community advocate.  Sherri has worked in a variety of capacities and with many organizations in the mental health field. This includes work in the community, non-profit, government, and corporate arenas. Sherri’s work includes providing support, education and advocacy for individuals affected by mental illness and their families, as well as systemic work through the development of policy, programs, and evidence-based services. 

Sherri is an Adjunct Faculty Member in the Political Science Department for Salt Lake Community College and she teaches in the Prison Education Program. Sherri has a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Utah. She also serves as a founder and board member of Mental Health America of Utah, the Board President for CIT Utah, and is the Board Vice Chair of the Utah Housing Coalition.