Two mothers of sons suffering from severe mental illness share the same big worry: What will happen to their adult sons as the women age and eventually become too old to continue taking care of their kids?  

Anita Fisher and Caroline Stewart, both mothers of sons with severe mental illnesses and well-known mental health advocates in San Diego, were among those who joined me last week to urge Governor Gavin Newsom to sign Senate Bill 43, a bill currently sitting on his desk that would reform California’s outdated conservatorship laws to make it easier to get people who can’t care for themselves into treatment.  

Assemblymember Brian Maienschein, City Councilmember Dr. Jennifer Campbell, first responders and dozens of members of the United Nurses Association of California also stood with me at this rally for SB 43, united in our support of conservatorship reform.  

“We need new and concrete solutions to help those who suffer from serious mental health challenges, and SB 43 can make a difference,” said Nikky Avey, a member of the United Nurses Association of California who spoke at the rally. 

This piece of legislation will help some of the people on our streets who we know are clearly caught up in a mental health crisis by allowing us to get them into treatment even if they think they don’t need it.  

SB 43 will also help people like the adult children of Anita and Caroline who are being cared for by aging parents but aren’t guaranteed care once their parents are gone. 

We must reform California’s outdated conservatorship law so we can care for these vulnerable individuals. We must get this bill signed into law, so we can get people into care and help save lives.  

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