Marcela, who has schizoaffective disorder, has experienced numerous mental health episodes, one of which made her aware of the importance of well-informed police officers providing compassionate support during a crisis, drawing on critical information and insights on de-escalation techniques. Marcela likes to paint, take pictures, and help others. She is on an advocacy journey to make people living with mental illness feel more secure and independent, even as they move from one city to another. It’s one of the reasons why she signed up for MedicAlert seven years ago when she realized the generic medical ID she had purchased at the drugstore was not enough to protect her.