Leslie Napper

Leslie Napper, proud native of Sacramento, CA, is a Peer Advocate for Disability Rights California (DRC), and a former Patients’ Rights Advocate in Sacramento, Yolo, Napa, and San Joaquin Counties. Leslie has served as Chair on the Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI) Advisory Council, Disability Rights California’s Board of Directors, CalMHSA Advisory Council, and served on Sacramento County’s Mental Health Board. She currently serves on Sacramento County’s MHSA Steering Committee representing Adult Mental Health Consumers. As a consultant to California Institute for Behavioral Health Solution (CIBHS) Leslie developed and lead a statewide African American Mental Health Consumer Leadership training, as well as facilitated and assisted in the development of trainings providing technical advice to California’s Local Mental Health Boards/Commissions. Lead plaintiff in Napper vs County of Sacramento, she worked closely with DRC’s legal team in litigation and settlement of the case. She is passionate about empowering others to advocate for themselves and others to eliminate the stigma associated with mental illness and effect change. Leslie identifies as a person living with a Mental Health disability and has been a respected Mental Health Advocate for more than 15 years.