When Corey Minor Smith's mother was significantly affected by untreated paranoid schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, she was no longer able to care for Smith. Smith was able to survive her mother’s untreated schizophrenia by relying on her village of friends, family and mentors. When Smith became an adult, the roles reversed, and she found herself prematurely responsible for her mother’s care. Now an author, attorney, activist, and motivational speaker, Smith shares her story and hopes to shed light and hope on the experience of caring for a family member with a diagnosis of severe mental illness. Kathy Day serves as today's expert and provides insight on the caregiver experience.

"Make Them Hear You" is an original podcast from Treatment Advocacy Center - the oldest national non-profit dedicated to eliminating the barriers to treatment for severe mental illness. In this podcast series, Treatment Advocacy Center's Senior Legislative and Policy Counsel, Sabah Muhammad, is the host and leads listeners through courageous conversations which uplift the voices of some of our most vulnerable members of society: individuals of color with a diagnosis of severe mental illness.

Visit Treatment Advocacy Center's website to learn more: treatmentadvocacycenter.org

Direct media inquiries to [email protected]

"Make Them Hear You" is hosted by Sabah Muhammad.

Produced by Bill Retherford, Sabah Muhammad, and Shannon Zogran.

Written and edited by Sabah Muhammad, Shannon Zogran, Lisa Dailey, and Michael Gray.

Music "Let The Rain Fall Down" by Kirk Osamayo.