Tony Mantor: Why Not Me ?
Leanna May Franklin: Love Without Structure:Navigating Serious Mental Illness as a Family
05 Jun 2025
Leanna May Franklin shares her journey as a mental health advocate after her son experienced a psychotic break at age 19, revealing the challenges of navigating care even with resources and professional expertise. • Experienced a life-changing moment when her son had a psychotic breakdown during a family gathering • Recognized signs that she initially thought were typical teenage behaviors but were early symptoms of mental illness • Her son is now diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder depressive type with polysubstance use • Despite having resources and knowledge, faced enormous barriers in getting appropriate care for her adult son • Co-founded a holistic mental health clinic offering integrated approaches including blood testing and IV therapy • Advocates for successful community treatment models like one in Yakima, Washington that provides services with minimal budget • Discusses "ambiguous grief" – the unique pain of losing someone who is still physically present • Emphasizes the importance of documentation, understanding system language, and building support teams • Believes in setting boundaries as an act of protection while continuing to advocate for better care • Works with National Shattering Silence Coalition to influence mental health policy reform If you'd like to learn more about Liana's work or need advocacy support, contact her at [email protected] or call/text 425-393-4762. She is available to attend meetings anywhere in the US to support those navigating the mental health system. https://tonymantor.com https://Facebook.com/tonymantor https://instagram.com/tonymantor https://twitter.com/tonymantor https://youtube.com/tonymantormusic intro/outro music bed written by T. Wild Why Not Me the World music published by Mantor Music (BMI)
Full Episode
Welcome to Why Not Me? Embracing Autism and Mental Health Worldwide. Hosted by Tony Mantor. Broadcasting from the heart of Music City, USA, Nashville, Tennessee. Join us as our guests share their raw, howlful stories. Some will spark laughter, others will move you to tears. These real life journeys inspire, connect, and remind you that you're never alone.
We're igniting a global movement to empower everyone to make a lasting difference by fostering deep awareness, unwavering acceptance, and profound understanding of autism and mental health. Tune in, be inspired, and join us in transforming the world one story at a time. Hi, I'm Tony Mantour. Welcome to Why Not Me? Embracing Autism and Mental Health Worldwide.
Joining us today is Liana Mae Franklin. She is a co-founder and operations manager of Seattle NAD in Bellevue, Washington, where she leads efforts to develop a holistic approach to treatment addressing the root causes of complex conditions.
Additionally, as the Washington State Policy Director for the National Shattering Silence Coalition, NSSC, she works to influence and improve mental health policies, focusing on systemic reform and advocating for individuals and families affected by serious mental illness. We are thrilled to have her wealth of expertise with us today.
Thanks for coming on, and can you give us a little information about yourself?
I am a licensed mental health clinician living in the state of Washington. I also serve as the policy director for Washington State for the National Shattering Silence Coalition.
So if you would, tell us what led you to become an advocate.
So I've always been in the health field. I've been practicing in medicine for almost 20 years. And in 2021, my adult son suffered a psychotic break. And that's when I got deep into mental health.
Okay. What age was he at the time that this happened?
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