Project Director

Lizzie Cayden entered the prevention field in 2014 as a National Fellow within the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP) workforce development program. Following the completion of her graduate degree and fellowship at the National Association for Substance Abuse and Drug Abuse Directors (NASADAD) in Washington, DC, Lizzie relocated to the west coast with the goal of continuing in the prevention field as a young professional. Since 2015, Lizzie has worked in both Oregon and Washington, supporting prevention services for counties, coalitions, tribal communities, community-based organizations, and substance use prevention grantees. She currently lives in Olympia, Washington, where she advocates for equitable practices in behavioral health, addressing stigma, and reducing barriers to accessing care.

As an individual with lived experience and an active peer in behavioral health services, Lizzie is deeply committed to the inclusion and value of those with lived experience, peer networks, and recovery support systems. She is part of a professional network of many colleagues (and now friends) who are focused on dismantling systemic racism and advancing equitable practices in social and behavioral health. She is dedicated to continue her lifetime commitment of learning and unlearning as an anti-racist ally, support youth and young adults as they navigate the behavioral health system, and improve the well-being of her peers within LGBTQ+ community. In her free time, Lizzie enjoys exploring the many natural wonders of Washington State, reading, and rock climbing. She is additionally pursuing a degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.