Dismantling the Standard of Neglect in Severe Mental Illness
and Establishing the Right to Be Well
For decades, both Nationally and in Massachusetts our Mental Health Systems have allowed a Standard of Neglect—a systemic failure that denies a medical lifeline to those living with severe brain diseases. We are a coalition of families, peers, and industry professionals who refuse to accept medical abandonment
as the status quo.
The mission of NSSC Massachusetts (NSSC MA), a chapter of National Shattering Silence Coalition, is to bridge the broad Treatment Gap after the initial 911 call by establishing a National Standard of Care in the Commonwealth. We believe that medical help should be a mandate, not a roll of the dice. By moving the bar from "Imminent Danger" to "Clinical Need," we are fighting for a system where treatment is delivered in a clinic, not at the end of a police encounter.
We are not just advocates; we are a community of action. From the front lines of the "Trench" to the halls of Beacon Hill, NSSC MA is dedicated to ensuring that every life affected by severe mental illness is saved, supported, and able to thrive with dignity.
The Human Cost of Medical Abandonment
Massachusetts is currently one of only two states that denies a clinical lifeline to the most severely ill. By requiring "imminent danger" before intervention, our laws force families to watch their loved ones descend into psychosis while being told to "wait for something bad to happen."
We call this the 911 Gap—the dangerous period where a medical emergency is left untreated until it becomes a police matter.
To expose the reality of this failure, we have tracked the cases we were able to catch through public records and news reports. In just the last two years, we have documented over 140 preventable tragedies across the Commonwealth. This isn't just data; it is proof that the current system is failing.call this the 911 Gap—the dangerous period where a medical emergency is left untreated until it becomes a police matter.
The Path Forward: Senate Bill 2973
Documenting the failure of the current system is only the first step. To save lives, we must change the laws that mandate medical abandonment. The Continuum of Care Act (S.2973) is our primary legislative priority to bring Massachusetts in line with the rest of the nation.
This bill establishes Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT)—a proven clinical "off-ramp" that allows for court-ordered, community-based treatment before a crisis turns into a 911 call. By updating our standards to include those who are "Gravely Disabled," we ensure that the most vulnerable among us receive a doctor’s care instead of a police response.
We are fighting for a Massachusetts where "Imminent Danger" is no longer the prerequisite for help. It is time to pass S.2973 and build a system rooted in clinical accountability.
Take Action: Ways To Support
The Senate Ways and Means Committee holds the power to move this bill forward. Your voice is the most effective tool we have to ensure S.2973 becomes law. When you reach out, emphasize the need for clinical accountability and the establishment of AOT in Massachusetts.
Please submit your testimony in support of S.2973 to:
Senator Michael Rodrigues, Chair of Senate Ways and Means
Phone: 617-722-1114
Download our legislative fact sheet to share with your representatives and join us in demanding a National Standard of Care.
For the most up-to-date legislative tracking, expert data, and national progress on Assisted Outpatient Treatment,
please visit our partners at: AOTNOW.org.