Is someone close to you impacted with a Serious Mental Illness (SMI) or PSYCHOSIS?
Supporting Arizona Families Together
Do you want to join? Please click YES to open our INTEREST FORM.
Strength In Numbers
Each member has a loved one, or more, with serious mental illness (disease), such as schizophrenia, bi-polar, or psychosis symptoms.
Our Impact
Since January 2024, Arizona Mad Moms has positively impacted the lives of countless families.
We focus on providing immediate assistance and long-term support, through education and lived experiences.
Please join us to learn more and to find out where you can attend a support group.
Click here to join [Interest Form].
In The News & More
Check us out locally and nationally!
We actively advocate for Arizona-based policies that benefit people
with SMI (serious mental illness).
MISSION STATEMENT
New Mission Statement Coming Soon!
Co-Founders
Rachel Streiff and Crystal Fox
If you have an immediate psychiatric problem in your home or family, please call 988 to be connected to local crisis services. If you must call for your local police, be sure to let dispatch know you are dealing with a psychiatric situation and ask for crisis-trained officers.
Call 988 even for basic advice on a mental illness issues.
We want your loved one to get the care they deserve
Not happy with the quality of care or services, there is help for you and your loved one. Contact one or all of the following:
Mercy Care Grievance:
or call 602-212-4983
AHCCCS Office of Human Rights:
or call 1-800-421-2124
Report a Quality of Care concern: https://www.azahcccs.gov/ACMS/
IN MEMORIAM
Volunteer Team Members Wanted & Needed.
Not a member yet, click here to join. [Interest Form]
- Welcome Team Members (remote)
- Support Group Leaders (in person)
- Marketing (social media platforms)
- Public Relations (remote/in person)
- Other (share your skills)
Please email us at hello@arizonamadmoms.com if you have questions or are interested in volunteering as much or as little as you can. 🌻
IN THE NEWS & MORE
'Major gap in our system': Arizona lacks secure facilities for people with serious mental illness.
"AZ Mad Moms & I want to thank Arizona's Peer and Family Collation for giving me this opportunity."
"AZ Mad Moms & I want to thank Arizona's Peer and Family Collation for giving me this opportunity."
Tucson Sentinel
Natalie Robbins
No easy answers for those with no place to go other than jail or the streets; Funds appropriated for SBHRFs repeatedly pulled back.
(Secured Behavioral Health Residential Facility)
This article features interviews with Arizona Mad Moms Co-Founders Crystal Fox and Rachel Streiff. This excellent journalism gives us a look into important funding and policy changes desperately needed to keep our families safe. A must read!
"AZ Mad Moms & I want to thank Arizona's Peer and Family Collation for giving me this opportunity."
"AZ Mad Moms & I want to thank Arizona's Peer and Family Collation for giving me this opportunity."
"AZ Mad Moms & I want to thank Arizona's Peer and Family Collation for giving me this opportunity."
YouTube
Crystal Fox, RN, Co-founder of Arizona Mad Moms
Arizona Mad Moms co-founder Crystal Fox speaks about her son Joshua, his father John, and their family's experience navigating the Arizona system of care for Serious Mental Illness (SMI) for Mental Health Day at the Capitol, April 14, 2025.
What is Mental Health Day at the (Arizona) Capitol?
"AZ Mad Moms & I want to thank Arizona's Peer and Family Collation for giving me this opportunity."
How This Mother Went to Extremes to Help Her SMI Son: 'He Knows He's Locked up Because of Mom’
Mental Health Day at the Capitol is an annual event.
Hosted by The Arizona Peer and Family Coalition.
It's a day to:
- Connect with your legislatures
- Make your voice heard
- Learn about key issues
- Be part of the solution
< Check out Arizona Mad Moms Crystal Fox's speech at this event!
Pictures of the Arizona Mad Moms at the event will be coming soon!
How This Mother Went to Extremes to Help Her SMI Son: 'He Knows He's Locked up Because of Mom’
The new Colorado organization is using personal stories to change state & national polices. . .
How This Mother Went to Extremes to Help Her SMI Son: 'He Knows He's Locked up Because of Mom’
PEOPLE Magazine
A TRUE STORY about Arizona Mad Mom Frances M. is an original hero of our movement!
Like many people with serious mental illness who suffer from anosognosia — a condition where the brain can't recognize it is sick — her son had been living on the streets before she found him help.
Psychiatric bed shortage is a public health emergency
The new Colorado organization is using personal stories to change state & national polices. . .
The new Colorado organization is using personal stories to change state & national polices. . .
Arizona Capitol Times
Rachel Streiff, Guest Commentary and
Co-founder of Arizona Mad Moms
In 2024, the Arizona Mad Moms “took the Capitol by storm,” passing four new Arizona laws relating to Serious Mental Illness (SMI). In one year, we have grown from a few dozen “mothers who are mad” to more than 400 families.
According to our governor, government agencies, and even the ACLU, Arizona has plenty of psychiatric bed capacity. We don’t.
The new Colorado organization is using personal stories to change state & national polices. . .
The new Colorado organization is using personal stories to change state & national polices. . .
The new Colorado organization is using personal stories to change state & national polices. . .
Colorado Sun
Jennifer Brown, Reporter/Co-Founder
The pattern goes like this: Vassis’ daughter, who has schizoaffective disorder, doesn’t take her medicine or is denied medication, goes into psychosis, gets arrested and goes to jail, is released to the streets, is admitted to a mental health facility, is released on day 13 or 14 because her Medicaid insurance runs out on day 15, does OK for a few days or weeks and then stops taking her medication again. Repeat. This story is not unique. It’s similar to all the other stories told by parents (nationwide).
Rising cost from uncompensated care an issue for Arizona's behavioral health hospitals.
Joint Meeting: Drug Safety & Risk Mgmt Advisory Committee and Psychopharmacologic Drugs Advisory
Rising cost from uncompensated care an issue for Arizona's behavioral health hospitals.
12News
Colleen Sikora, Journalist/Reporter
A new state report finds behavioral health hospitals, serving some of the most vulnerable in the state, are financially unhealthy themselves.
Mad Mom, Deborah Geelsing is in this interview.
"It's a system that needs change," Geesling said, "to serve the most vulnerable."
Clozapine REMS A Barrier To Treat And Unnecessary For Safe Use, US FDA Adcomms Say.
Joint Meeting: Drug Safety & Risk Mgmt Advisory Committee and Psychopharmacologic Drugs Advisory
Rising cost from uncompensated care an issue for Arizona's behavioral health hospitals.
CITELINE
Washington DC
Sue Sutter, Senior Editor
The atypical antipsychotic’s Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy should be retired because the requirements for prescriber education and documentation on absolute …
Joint Meeting: Drug Safety & Risk Mgmt Advisory Committee and Psychopharmacologic Drugs Advisory
Joint Meeting: Drug Safety & Risk Mgmt Advisory Committee and Psychopharmacologic Drugs Advisory
Joint Meeting: Drug Safety & Risk Mgmt Advisory Committee and Psychopharmacologic Drugs Advisory
YOUTUBE
Unedited Live Recording
8h52m38s
The Committees will discuss the reevaluation of the Clozapine Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) and possible changes to minimize burden on patients, pharmacies, and prescribers while maintaining safe use of Clozapine.
Public Testimonies Start @ 5:38:11
Panel Discussion & Voting Start @ 7:31:01
In this inaugural episode, we thoroughly examine the effects of bed shortages...
“You restore someone’s liberty by restoring their cognitive function." said Jane Jepson, AZMM member
Joint Meeting: Drug Safety & Risk Mgmt Advisory Committee and Psychopharmacologic Drugs Advisory
CRONKITENEWS
Pathways to Equity podcast: Episode 1
... for the seriously mentally ill on the families and community. Listen to our conversation with (President of 'ACMI' Association for the Chronically Mentally Ill) Josh Mozell, one of a few lawyers in the country with a mental health-care practice, and (Arizona Mad Mom) Tyra Street, whose son has schizophrenia.
Nearly 311,000 people with serious mental illness are living in Arizona, according to federal data.
“You restore someone’s liberty by restoring their cognitive function." said Jane Jepson, AZMM member
“You restore someone’s liberty by restoring their cognitive function." said Jane Jepson, AZMM member
Arizona's Family
Alexis Dominguez, Anchor - Reporter
Valley moms (AZ Mad Moms - including families) are sounding the alarm on bed shortages and shorter stays for severe mental health patients at psychiatric inpatient care facilities.
“You restore someone’s liberty by restoring their cognitive function." said Jane Jepson, AZMM member
“You restore someone’s liberty by restoring their cognitive function." said Jane Jepson, AZMM member
“You restore someone’s liberty by restoring their cognitive function." said Jane Jepson, AZMM member
CronkiteNews AZPBS
Shi Bradley, News Digital Reporter-Phoenix
Bed shortages and inadequate care leave patients with Serious Mental Illness in metro Phoenix at risk.
Multiple hospitals in the state are currently at capacity and have turned away patients in recent months, and those who do get beds are often discharged prematurely.
Department of Justice says Phoenix discriminates against mental illness.
Department of Justice says Phoenix discriminates against mental illness.
Department of Justice says Phoenix discriminates against mental illness.
KJZZ 91.5 Phoenix
Matthew Casey, Senior Field Correspondent
“What is so sad is that the report found that Phoenix's officers act on the assumption that people with disabilities are dangerous."
Attorney Larry Wulkan
ARIZONA We Need This!
Department of Justice says Phoenix discriminates against mental illness.
Department of Justice says Phoenix discriminates against mental illness.
CBS NEWS MIAMI
MIAMI - A first-of-its-kind mental health facility is now a big step closer to opening in Miami-Dade County. The facility aims to help people with severe mental illness, who are caught in the criminal justice system.
Crystal Fox (Co-founder of AZ Mad Moms) shared her son’s story.
Department of Justice says Phoenix discriminates against mental illness.
Missouri's #GovernorMikeParsons Responds To Schizophrenia, a recent DOJ report...
AWARENOW
'Beyond Stigma' Exclusive Column by
National Shattering Silence Coalition
This story is about Crystal's son Joshua, and his father John, the inspiration for “John’s Law” recently passed in Arizona Legislation 2024.
Missouri's #GovernorMikeParsons Responds To Schizophrenia, a recent DOJ report...
Mad Moms got the attention of lawmakers this past session thru weekly Mental Illness Monday stories.
Missouri's #GovernorMikeParsons Responds To Schizophrenia, a recent DOJ report...
... which found Missouri is mistreating thousands of mentally ill citizens. The report lays out the year-and-a-half investigation ...
Rachel Streiff co-founded an Arizona-based organization called ‘Arizona Mad Moms',
which now has a chapter in Missouri.
Mad Moms got the attention of lawmakers this past session thru weekly Mental Illness Monday stories.
Mad Moms got the attention of lawmakers this past session thru weekly Mental Illness Monday stories.
Mad Moms got the attention of lawmakers this past session thru weekly Mental Illness Monday stories.
azcentral.com
Stephanie Innes, Health Reporter
4 new mental health laws are "cause for hope", AZ (Mad Moms) group says.
House Bill: HB2744 To help seriously mentally ill people who can't help themselves.
Mad Moms got the attention of lawmakers this past session thru weekly Mental Illness Monday stories.
Mad Moms got the attention of lawmakers this past session thru weekly Mental Illness Monday stories.
12News
Erica Stapleton, I-Team Reporter
Victory for Mad Moms: Gov. Hobbs signs mental health bill into law. The bill was sponsored by Rep. Consuelo Hernandez.
“The onset often occurs in the late teens and early 20s but there are early warning signs."
Sen Catherine Miranda takes a few minutes on the Senate floor to present “Mental Health Mondays.”
Sen Catherine Miranda takes a few minutes on the Senate floor to present “Mental Health Mondays.”
Arizona's Family
Alexis Dominguez, Anchor - Reporter
Teen substance abuse and mental health program launching in Sun City West
Sen Catherine Miranda takes a few minutes on the Senate floor to present “Mental Health Mondays.”
Sen Catherine Miranda takes a few minutes on the Senate floor to present “Mental Health Mondays.”
Sen Catherine Miranda takes a few minutes on the Senate floor to present “Mental Health Mondays.”
Arizona Capital Times
Hannah Elsmore, Senate Reporter
Mondays mean Senate hears true stories of mental health crisis.
Who are the Arizona Mad Moms?
Sen Catherine Miranda takes a few minutes on the Senate floor to present “Mental Health Mondays.”
12News has reported extensively on the gaps in care for individuals with serious mental illness. . .
P82 Project Restoration
Deborah Geesling, President
There’s a grassroots movement afoot. Actually, movement is too weak of a word. I would characterize it more like a Texas storm front with ominous clouds gathering.
Mothers, sisters, grandparents, fathers, brothers who have loved ones and friends living with serious mental illness, they’re mad. They’ve had enough.
12News has reported extensively on the gaps in care for individuals with serious mental illness. . .
12News has reported extensively on the gaps in care for individuals with serious mental illness. . .
12News has reported extensively on the gaps in care for individuals with serious mental illness. . .
12News
Joe Dana, Anchor
Arizona lawmakers propose new bills for psychiatric care of seriously mentally ill.
How to cope with Ambiguous Loss from Severe Mental Illness
12News has reported extensively on the gaps in care for individuals with serious mental illness. . .
"We could not get him help." Crystal Fox, mother demanding change in Arizona.
Treatment Advocacy Center
Jerri Clark, Resource and Advocacy Manager
"Gone, But Not Gone"
Ambiguous loss is a loss that occurs without a significant likelihood of reaching emotional closure or a clear understanding. This kind of loss leaves a person searching for answers, and thus complicates and delays the process of grieving, and often results in unresolved grief.
"We could not get him help." Crystal Fox, mother demanding change in Arizona.
12News has reported extensively on the gaps in care for individuals with serious mental illness. . .
"We could not get him help." Crystal Fox, mother demanding change in Arizona.
12News
Erica Stapleton, I-Team Reporter
'We could not get him help'. Mother demands change in Arizona's mental health care system after son dies by suicide in prison.
Arizona Mad Mom's co-founder Crystal Fox - this article is about her son, Joshua John Fox.
(Before 2024)
Mother Fights Relentless Battle To Help Mentally Ill Son. Why Aren’t Austin Officials Helping Her?
Mother Fights Relentless Battle To Help Mentally Ill Son. Why Aren’t Austin Officials Helping Her?
Mother Fights Relentless Battle To Help Mentally Ill Son. Why Aren’t Austin Officials Helping Her?
By Pete Early
A TRUE STORY about Arizona Mad Mom Frances M. is an original hero of our movement!
Frances Musgrove’s adult son, Justin, wandered out onto a highway and was struck by a car. The photo of his head wound is jarring to see. It should disgust those responsible for not helping Justin – and there is a long list who have thrown up their hands and blamed regulations and the law.
When Justin was ordered by a judge to be under an Assisted Outpatient Treatment order, Frances thought he would get help. She was wrong. Justin didn’t comply and the law proved meaningless. His mother has waged a one-woman tireless campaign to get her son into a state hospital where he can be stabilized.
Mentally ill man was supposed to get help. Now he is homeless. His mother wants to know why.
Mother Fights Relentless Battle To Help Mentally Ill Son. Why Aren’t Austin Officials Helping Her?
Mother Fights Relentless Battle To Help Mentally Ill Son. Why Aren’t Austin Officials Helping Her?
Houston Chronicle
By Alex Stuckey
A TRUE STORY about Arizona Mad Mom Frances M. is an original hero of our movement!
Frances Musgrove bundles against the chill and drives around Austin every few days, searching for her son under highway overpasses and alongside busy thoroughfares.
She doesn’t always find him. There are a few spots he frequents, where he knows he can get meth, but he’s not always there.
It’s often a multi-hour drive, Musgrove holding her breath every time she sees a man of his build; a man with his blanket; a man who seems out of his mind.
She can’t believe it’s come to this.
Arnold v. Sarn Lawsuit History, filed in 1981. 44 years later...
Mother Fights Relentless Battle To Help Mentally Ill Son. Why Aren’t Austin Officials Helping Her?
Arnold v. Sarn Lawsuit History, filed in 1981. 44 years later...
Arizona Horizons
By Ted Simons
April 14, 2025 Rachel Streiff, co-founder of Arizona Mad Moms; “The Arnold versus Sarne lawsuit is on our agenda. The State is not compliant with the agreement to provide housing for the mentally ill."
What? 44 YEARS !?!
Mental Health Attorney Charles "Chick" Arnold explains how his name became associated with the class action lawsuit Arnold v. Sarn. Filed in 1981, the lawsuit seeks to force the State of Arizona to provide the community-based system of care for individuals with serious mental illnesses that is promised in state statute.
Watch one of the many news interviews by clicking the link "May 22, 2012" below.
INVITATION from The Angry Moms
We are mothers, parents, family members and caregivers who have come together to advocate for the safe use of Clozapine for our loved ones with a psychiatric condition.
"Clozapine is certainly not the only medicine available to physicians and patients in the US with agranulocytosis as a potential adverse effect. But how many of these other medicines require a REMS program for prescribing and dispensing? None."
Click here to visit our website, The Angry Moms.
Founded by
Rachel Streiff, co-founder of Arizona Mad Moms
