For decades, Leon Evans has been a relentless champion of mental health improvement. 

He is the former President of the Center for Healthcare Services, has received the American Psychiatric Assoc. Gold Award, was named a CNN Mental Health Warrior, and has testified before Congress.

Thanks to his innovative, mission-driven, and hope-based, bottom-up approach, Leon has made incredible strides in many areas of mental healthcare. 

He has created and been part of many innovative programs including: 

• The Restoration Center in Bexar County, TX, where people can get mental healthcare, help with substance abuse and more  

Leon says giving people hope is one of the keys to success.

Connect with Leon: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/leon-evans-ba2bb618 

Topical time codes:

1:08 - Entering the mental health field in 1966

2:41 - Ground-up, not top-down approach

4:35 - Giving hope

5:07 - Tri-County Industries litter abatement program - hiring the mentally ill, giving them hope, purpose, benefits, and good pay

9:21 - Mommies program and the Restoration Center

13:47 - Using a peer-based program to help the homeless

15:10 - Success of collaboration between providers/law enforcement/first responders

18:13 - Scaling the personal connection and compassion (listen, and include family)

22:55 - Getting buy-in for the programs

24:24 - Training law enforcement in soft skills