The Yates Children Memorial Fund (YCMF) is named after Russell and Andrea Yates' children: Noah, John, Paul, Luke and Mary. It was created June, 2002, by the Mental Health Association of Greater Houston (MHA Houston) to fund women's mental health education.
The following statement was issued by the defense team of Andrea Pia Yates, April 23,2002:

"On June 20, 2001, a tragedy of immense proportions occurred within the family of Andrea and Rusty Yates and their children Noah, John, Paul, Luke and Mary. The drowning deaths of these children have galvanized world attention on issues of women's mental health and the insanity laws.
The lesson to be learned from Andrea Yates, mental condition should be the catalyst of change. As a society, we must work together to better understand and deal with mental health issues.
In the spirit of this historic commitment and on behalf of Andrea, Noah, John, Luke, Paul and Mary, a foundation is being established to educate the public, assist other women who may need it, and the medical community by providing additional funds for in the area of women's mental health, focusing particularly on the issue of postpartum depression and psychosis, to ensure that the public will become more aware of the issues and treatment surrounding mental illness.
Knowledge and understanding is the key to prevention. It is our sincere desire that the lives of these children will be forever memorialized through this effort."

Postpartum Support International is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote awareness, prevention and treatment of mental health issues related to childbearing in every country worldwide.
It is the vision of PSI that every woman and family worldwide will have access to information, social support, and informed professional care to deal with mental health issues related to childbearing. PSI promotes this vision through advocacy and collaboration, and by educating and training the professional community and the public.

NAMI's support and public education efforts are focused on educating America about mental illness, offering resources to those in need, and insisting that mental illness become a high national priority.
Mental illness is a serious medical illness that affects one in four families. No one is to blame. Treatment works, but only half of people living with mental illness receive treatment. NAMI has engaged in a variety of activities to create awareness about mental illness and promote the promise of recovery.
The Walk program has quickly become the single most effective tool that NAMI advocates can use to meet their own objectives. NAMIWalks raises much needed funds that fuel our grassroots efforts while raising our visibility in the community in order to ensure that those who can benefit from NAMI services can find them when they are needed.

George Parnham is an expert on the defense of individuals with mental illness and a passionate advocate for legal reform of their treatment in the criminal justice system. Please contact us for further information.