Pacific Palisades Man Goes to Washington to Talk about Trouble Youth, Mental Health

Pacific Palisades resident Jay Silverman is traveling to Washington, D.C. to talk to politicians about troubled youth and mental health issues. 

Silverman, who will address members of Congress Thursday with a delegation from National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs, is a parent of a child that attended a NATSAP member program. 

NATSAP is a nonprofit organization representing residential treatment centers, therapeutic boarding schools, and wilderness programs for troubled adolescents and youths.

According to a NATSAP press release, the association's member facilities can help meet the need for mental health programs for troubled youths that are not being met by publically funded programs.

To educate members of Congress, mental health related committee members, and their staffs, a dozen NATSAP member residential treatment staff, NATSAP alumni, and their parents will visit Capitol Hill to share their personal stories and first-hand experiences about undergoing quality treatment.

"NATSAP can play an important role in our nation's continuing dialogue about young adults with mental health and behavioral issues," said Cliff Brownstein, Executive Director of NATSAP. "Because the programs are vastly different, we can refer legislators to unique and highly-specialized resources from within our diverse membership." 

All NATSAP member programs that treat children under 18 are state licensed and/or nationally accredited by major mental health accrediting organizations.