We want you to get the care you deserve.
Who We Are
N4N is a community project with local healthcare workers and community members, who are either mental health professionals or have undergone training by a mental health professional, and volunteer their time for mutual aid in the mental health space.
The idea is deeply rooted in the culture of mutual aid - community members helping community members, creating systems outside of (or alongside of) government and capitalism for a healthier community.
*It's important to note that we do not replace professional mental health services, we both 1) provide an additional avenue which may be more immediately accessible and an alternative to the adverse effects which sometimes accompany 911 calls for such matters and 2) provide a potential bridge to higher acuity service/higher level of care through local resources.
Peer Mental Health Intervention Warmline
We offer a peer support line for non-police response to mental health needs.
THE NUMBERS
A published study on police shootings from 2015-2020:
Nearly 1800 annual police shootings
55% Fatal overall
67% Fatal, if mental/behavioral health involved
Associated with police dispatch calls
Associated even with behavioral health well-checks
Limited because there is no national database of police violence
Check out these links to read up more on published studies regarding police shootings: https://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/10.2105/AJPH.2023.307560
THE VISION
Less interactions with police = reduce likelihood of police violence
Having an alternative to avoid police interaction can save lives and build community resilience
By redistributing police responsibility towards more qualified, nonviolent practitioners could serve as a prelude to redistributing inflationary police funds
We are starting small as proof of concept: peer crisis hotline on Friday nights
THE MODEL
Freedom House Ambulance Service (Pittsburgh, PA 1967)
Previously cops would respond to medical emergencies
Poor outcomes in poor and Black neighborhoods (Hill District)
Citizen cooperative for basic field first aid and rapid transit to hospital
City incorporated this service and replicated the model nationwide - what became ambulances today.
Check out this link to The New England Journal of Medicine to read more about the Freedom House Ambulance Service :
How We Came to Be
It all began with an idea in a communal kitchen after a mutual aid event in December 2024. Two surgeons and a counselor asked what can we do for Fresno? We started meeting with each other, inviting others to join us, and began offering peer support.
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General Surgery and background in acute care surgery committed to community care, accessible healthcare, and social justice. B.S. Biological Sciences, Medical Degree Fellow of the American College of Surgeons
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Endocrine specialist and General Surgeon committed to community care, accessible healthcare, and social justice. B.S Biological Sciences, Medical Degree, Master of Public Health, Fellow of the American College of Surgeons
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Mental Health Counselor with over a decade of experience in trauma informed care. Provides community training for mental health and assessment. B.A. Psychology and Sociology, Master’s in Social Work