Mental Health Care Reform in California
Dajon Reed
Sunrise March 29, 1995
Sunset July 27, 2019
I lost my Beloved Son Dajon Reed at the age of 24 years old, he was struck and killed by a train at 4:30am, less than 9 months after a Fresno Superior Court Judge released him from a temporary LPS conservatorship, going against psychiatrist recommendations that he be held on a LPS Conservatorship. My son was diagnosed with Schizophrenia, Bi-Polar and suffered with severe substance abuse disorder. As his mental health worsened, he developed the condition called anosognosia, it’s when a person with a severe mental health illness lacks awareness and insight that they have a disease, and they begin refusing treatment, the LPS law is rendered useless at this point, useless to the family of loved one and useless to the individual who is gravely disabled, a harm to themselves and a harm to others.
Let’s save lives in Dajon’s memory.
I am grateful that my son never went to prison nor was he homeless, but many times when his symptoms were severe (extremely psychotic and delusional, off his meds) he would threaten to leave to Los Angeles. Dajon believed actors and actresses were talking to him through the television telling him to come there. As a Licensed Marriage and Family therapist, working for county and prison systems, I have witnessed individual's cycle through emergency rooms, prison and to the streets without getting the help they need. Parents are told that if they want their adult child to get the help they need, (referencing an LPS Conservatorship), then the parent needs to let their adult child become homeless because “it is the only way.” This places the individual at more risk of being perpetrated and victimized, worsens mental health and only continues the cycle until they get LPS conservatorship or die. California's mentally ill homeless population is proof that something is out of balance! We need mental health care reform in California now!
Advocacy, Awareness, Education & Fighting for Change in Dajon’s Memory
5150 criteria needs to be reviewed and revised to bring more clarification and metrics put in place. Many who are diagnosed with severe mental illness can present well for minutes at a time and are well versed on how to answer the criteria questions. Dr. Michelle Reed, is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and a Advocate of Mental Health Care Reform of the California in memory of her Beloved Son Dajon Reed. Pictured here she is a keynote speaker at the National Alliance on Mental Health sharing her Son’s story. Dr. Reed regularly advocates with Senators and Legislators pushing to reform the California LPS Act
Memorial Senate Resolution, December 10, 2024
WHEREAS, It was with immense sadness and a deep sense of loss that word was received on the morning of July 27, 2019, of the untimely death at the age of 24 of Dajon Reed, a caring and compassionate Californian and a devoted son and brother whose character and deeds in his short life merited gratitude and respectful acknowledgement by the people of the State of California; and
WHEREAS, Born on March 29, 1995, to Michelle Gonzales-Reed and raised with the values of kindness, integrity, love, and hard work, Dajon Reed sang in his church choir; loved music, singing, acting, and songwriting; and enjoyed participating in cross country and track events; and
WHEREAS, All throughout elementary, middle, and high school, Dajon was known for lending a listening ear to others and encouraging his peers through their own challenges, and with a deep passion for helping people in need, he regularly volunteered for his mother's ministry and participated in preparing and distributing food and blankets to homeless people in his community; and
WHEREAS, Dajon's young life was lost due to severe mental illness and substance abuse, which inspired his mother, Michelle, to advocate for changes in mental health care in tribute to Dajon's memory, and his story has since encouraged many others to advocate for improvements to California's Lanterman-Petris-Short Act laws; and
WHEREAS, Throughout his short time on earth, Dajon exhibited the most treasured and memorable human qualities and was admired and appreciated by many in his community for his generosity of spirit, dry sense of humor, love of family, and genuine capacity to share his time and talents with others; and
WHEREAS, Dajon Reed left to mourn his passing and celebrate his legacy his mother Michelle Gonzales-Reed; his brothers, Kaleb Reed and Joshua Reed; and his extended family members and friends, all of whom are forever grateful for the time they had with him; Now therefore, be it
RESOLVED BY SENATOR ANNA M. CABALLERO, That she joins the friends and family of Dajon Reed in celebrating and revering the accomplishments and legacy of a young and caring individual who lived life to the fullest, whose love was extended to others without hesitation or expectation of reward, and whose spirit will live forever in the hearts and memories of those who knew him.
May 23, 2024, Dajon’s story was shared in Awareness Now Magazine
Click the photo above to follow this link for the full interview or copy and paste the url below into your browser
https://issuu.com/awarenessties/docs/awarenow_-_the_envision_edition
Photo: Awareness Now Magazine
On May 13, 2024, a tree was planted and dedicated to Dajon, acknowledged by Senator Caballero, located at Dry Creek Park and Botanical Gardens in Clovis, California
Acknowledgment from Senator Caballero, 14th District California on May 13, 2024
September 2023, Senator Eggman highlighted Dajon’s story
Click the headline above to follow this link for the full interview or copy and paste the url below into your browser
https://medium.com/@sensusaneggman/a-closer-look-at-personal-stories-and-real-world-impacts-of-severe-mental-illness-7eb1d311f617
Podcast Trailer May 2023 Michelle’s interview with Kimi Culp bringing awareness to the need for mental health care reform in California
Follow this link for the full interview
https://www.allthewiserpodcast.com/episodes/michelle-gonzales-reed?fbclid=IwAR0_-fzOaTo-lgYjhOXOwu3FcmbJGVsj81q_p870afu5zwnYJ3lUp-ERRCA&mibextid=Zxz2cZ
Dajon’s painting is completed for the Art Museums display in September 2023 (Mental Health Awareness Month) at CMAC television and October 2023 (World Mental Health Day) at Fresno Arts Museum
Special thank you to my dear friend, Artist, Leonard Nevels ♥️
The Fresno City Council’s Office and Mayor Dyer on October 13, 2022, issued a Proclamation in honor of Dajon’s life and memory, designating “Mental Illness Awareness Week”highlighting Dajon’s fight with mental illness, bringing awareness, removing stigma and reforming laws for those who are suffering, to be acknowledged October 2nd through the 8th yearly in the City of Fresno.
Certificate In Recognition of “Mental Illness Awareness Week” Presented October 8th, 2022 by Andreas Borgeas, Member of the State Senate, Eighth District of California
Podcast May 2022, with Dr Michelle Reed, Worldwide Boxing Champion Mia St John and Katie Cunningham, Chief External Affairs Officer with the JED Foundation discussing Mental Health Care Reform
Opinion October 2022: Fresno Mother lost her Son to Mental Illness; now she helps others avoid the same fate, published in the Fresno Bee, click below
Blog May 2022: Challenging the System: One Woman’s Fight for Mental Health Reform/published by The JED Foundation, click below
Dr. Michelle Reed regularly advocates with legislators both republican and democratic. Here she is speaking with Congresswoman Julia Brownley, June 2022 telling Dajon’s story
