Come Together to #ReimagineCrisis

​We need to reimagine our crisis response system to one that offers help, not handcuffs. Join us for a conversation on Northern Virginia’s behavioral health response system as we explore what works, what hasn’t worked, and what we envision future response systems will look like. Hear from NAMI Northern Virginia Program Leaders, local law enforcement, and more as we come together to #ReimagineCrisis.

​When: May 23
Time: 7pm - 8:30pm
Where: Virtual on YouTube Live

Our Panelists:

​Abbey May, LPC, CSAC is a Licensed Professional and Certified Substance Abuse Counselor with over 25 years’ experience in behavioral health.  She is currently the Director of Acute Services for the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board managing a 24/7 Emergency Services, Mobile Crisis Services, and Wellness Circle which is a 16 bed Crisis Stabilization Unit.  Previously she was the Director of Inova Behavioral Health Access Services, supervisor of Inova CATS (Comprehensive Addiction Treatment Services), supervisor of the Fairfax County Mobile Crisis Unit. Abbey has served on the Police Psychologist team MM Psychological Services to Fairfax County Police Department for the past 11 years providing critical incident support to law enforcement, and training.  Additionally, she maintained a private practice for 14 years providing psychotherapy to adults and adolescents. She has specialized training in critical incidence response, grief and loss, trauma, substance use, and mindfulness.

​Lisa Potter is the Director of Diversion Initiatives for Fairfax County and her work with Diversion First spans multiple systems, including health and human services, public safety and the courts.  She has worked for Fairfax County Government for over 25 years, in various clinical and administrative positions, and has extensive experience in data analysis and evaluation, strategic planning, program development and cross-system services.

PFC Joseph Schlenz is the Lead Crisis Intervention Training Instructor at the Criminal Justice Academy-Law Enforcement Training Unit for the Fairfax County Police Department Crisis Intervention Team (CIT).

Anna Strasburger has been involved in the mental health community for over a decade. After working for years with her own mental health challenges, she realized she could offer her experiences as a way to help others with their own journeys and recovery. She explored various ways to put her passion in service to others and finally found her calling through her work as a Certified and Registered Peer Recovery Specialist. Outside of her peer recovery work, Anna volunteers in different capacities which include mentoring young adults on their mental health journeys, presenting for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)'s In Our Own Voice and Ending the Silence programs, and by serving on her local Community Services Board and Mental Health Committee. Anna also works at Mental Health America of Virginia and at a premiere wellness center in Arlington that supports holistic healing in her community.