Alternatives 2008 Seeks Workshop Proposals; Some Scholarships Are Available

Workshop and institute proposals for Alternatives 2008 – to be held at the Adams Mark Hotel in Buffalo, N.Y., October 29-November 2, 2008 – are due by May 15, 2008. The call for presentations and additional resources for the conference, whose theme is “Creating Community Through Active Citizenship,” are posted at www.power2u.org/alternatives-2008. The workshops selected will represent a variety of viewpoints and will mainly include workshops run by and for consumers. A limited number of scholarships are available; applications – also posted at www.power2u.org/alternatives-2008 – must be completed and sent by U.S. mail no later than May 28, 2008. “People who want to attend the conference are encouraged to look for local support as there is not enough federal funding for everyone to obtain assistance,” said a conference spokesperson. To be added to the mailing or e-mail list to receive additional information, please e-mail info4@power2u.org or call 800-POWER2U.

Source: http://www.power2u.org

NEWS RELEASE: "Forcing Psychiatric Drugs Can Increase Violence," Warns New Task Force on Mental Health Legal Advocacy & Activism

For immediate release: NEWS RELEASE 4 March 2008Media

contacts:Krista Erickson - 541-345-9106 Daniel Hazen - 315-528-3385

krista@mindfreedom.org
dan@psychrights.org

"Forcing Psychiatric Drugs Can Increase Violence," Warns New Task Force on Mental Health Legal Advocacy & Activism

Promising to fight what they call pervasive and harmful violations of mental healthclients who are involuntarily drugged and electroshocked in the United States, TheLaw Project for Psychiatric Rights (PsychRights) and the MindFreedom Shield Campaignannounced today a joint Task Force on Mental Health Legal Advocacy & Activism. Thenew partnership of law and nonviolent direct action has an initial focus in thestates of California, Massachusetts and New York.

PsychRights' President Jim Gottstein declared, "People's rights in forced drugging proceedings are ignored as a matter of course, resulting in great harm to them anddecreased public safety." David Oaks, Director of MindFreedom International (MFI),noted, "Violence by a few individuals labeled 'mentally ill' has led to a backlashcalling for a massive increase in forced psychiatric drugging."

Mr. Gottstein added, "Contrary to public perception, forcing people to takepsychiatric drugs can often increase violence, rather than decrease it. If peoplewere warned that both taking and withdrawing from these drugs can at timescontribute to committing terrible acts, they and their loved ones can be alert tothe possibility and tragedies averted."

Krista Erickson, MFI board member and Chair of the MFI Shield Campaign, said, "I'mexcited about MFI and PsychRights expanding our partnership and focusing thecombined power of legal advocacy and activism on specific cases." The MFI ShieldCampaign supports the wishes of a member to be free of involuntary mental healthintervention with an international "Solidarity Network" of advocates. The new TaskForce plans to use both the court of law and the court of public opinion.

Task Force organizers say the combination of PsychRights' expertise for strategiclitigation and the "people power" of MindFreedom activists around the country willbring a synergy and geographic reach to their demands for people’s legal and humanrights. Daniel Hazen, Northeast Coordinator with PsychRights, added, "In the UnitedStates the 'mental health' industry is a labeling system that often dismisses self-determination, legal capacity and alternatives. 'Treatment' can be forced throughthe court systems. People ought to 'have their day in court' but this is often farfrom what actually occurs."

MFI is an independent nonprofit coalition defending human rights and promotinghumane alternatives in mental health. The Law Project for Psychiatric Rights is apublic interest law firm devoted to the defense of people facing what they call the"horrors of unwarranted forced psychiatric drugging and other forced psychiatricprocedures." PsychRights office is in Anchorage, Alaska: http://www.psychrights.org/. TheMFI office is in Eugene, Oregon: http://www.mindfreedom.org/


http://psychrights.org/PR/080304PsychRights-MFI-Shield.pdf

James B. (Jim) Gottstein, Esq.
President/CEO
Law Project for Psychiatric Rights
406 G Street, Suite 206
Anchorage, Alaska 99501
USA
Phone: (907) 274-7686)
Fax: (907) 274-9493

First International Conference on Self-determination

From the National Empowerment Center:


“We are going to roll up our sleeves and discuss monumental issues, such as ending segregation from society, moving forward with the global advancement of self-determination and launching new efforts to redefine supports and recovery, so that real control is determined by people with mental and/or physical disabilities,” said Center for Self-Determination Executive Director Tom Nerney.

All eyes are on Detroit, May 27-29th, as the city hosts the first-ever International Conference on Self-Determination, sponsored by The Center for Self-Determination. Hundreds of participants representing services and change agents in developmental disabilities, elder issues, mental health recovery and the independent living movement, will attend this outstanding event held at the Detroit Marriott GM Renaissance Center.

“Detroit is in the midst of transformation, so it is fitting that people from around the world who are dedicated to fundamentally changing the human service system, hold a conference of this magnitude in Detroit,” said Nerney.

One of the many conference highlights will be “StoryCorps”, the largest oral history project of its kind. Participants can record their story on a free CD to take home and then it is archived for future generations at the National Library of Congress.

Topics include: Human Service System Change, Structural Changes, Taking Charge of Personal Economic Futures, Control of Public Funding, Advocacy and Leadership, Workforce Issues and much more.

The agenda also highlights different national and cultural approaches to self-determination as well as experiments in the United States and other countries, that demonstrate commitment to a person controlling where and with whom they live, their real membership in the community, their pursuit of long term relationships and the end of personal impoverishment.

For all of the latest conference information, log onto www.self-determination.com.

Conference Promotes Recovery and Civil Rights

Jane W. Christol of San Jose, California, writes:

The 2008 conference of the California Network of Mental Health Clients, “25 Years: Celebrating the Past; Building the Future,” February 8-10, in Sacramento, was a statewide conference given by and for mental health clients. It is a profound experience to be in the company of heroes and leaders in a movement toward recovery from such devastating illnesses as schizophrenia, to name only one.

The President’s New Freedom Commission on Mental Health in 2002 worked diligently to begin to envision a mental health system driven primarily by the people served. The California Network of Mental Health Clients has worked tirelessly to make the dream of recovery not just a dream, but to endeavor to change the system from the inside out.

One of the keynote speakers, Stephen Pocklington, a former mental health provider, now promotes awareness of the WRAP – Wellness Recovery Action Plan – program begun by Mary Ellen Copeland of Vermont. Some among us are former, and some are current, providers of mental health services. Defining oneself as a client of mental health services can be freeing and akin to what it means to come out.

Distinct voices in the client movement include psychiatrists, pharmaceutical companies, family members, social workers, and clients themselves. There is good news in that each of these voices (with the exception of pharmaceutical companies) could identify in a personal sense with the importance of their mental well-being and self-care.

These are not economically easy times for persons in all strata of society. If we are clients receiving housing and/or monthly income from the government, we have a certain amount of stability. We also have perhaps more time than the average individual, who must spend much of their time working for medical insurance, to keep a roof over their head and dinner on the table.

The last two years, I volunteered serving lunches at a local senior center. Now I am in service at a local meditation center in San Jose, in Santa Clara County. Initially I felt challenged socially, but I continued to show up and now feel welcomed and valued in each of these communities.

How can we use our time in the highest way? How can we keep in mind ways that our activities will be a benefit to others?

A full life includes being in service. Some people choose professions that are focused toward service. When we are involved in these professions, I hope that we maintain our self-care and also choose to serve in the highest way.

Posted by the Clearinghouse

Nominate Consumers/Advocates for Awards Honoring Those Who Make a Difference for Mental Health

It’s time to thank mental health consumers once again for giving a voice to people with mental health problems. The Voice Awards honor mental health consumer leaders for their contributions in reducing stigma and discrimination. If you know of a mental health consumer who has led efforts to reduce the stigma and discrimination associated with mental illnesses, demonstrated that recovery is real and possible, and made a positive impact on their workplace, community, and/or school, please nominate them for a 2008 Voice Award. Additional consideration will be given to nominees who have made a positive impact within special populations, such as racially and ethnically diverse groups and young adults, ages 18 to 24.
Nominations are open to anyone, are free, and there is no limit to the number an individual can submit. The Voice Awards will be presented at a gala ceremony in Los Angeles in May 2008.

Nominate at http://www.voiceawards.samhsa.gov . There’s only a week left: Mental health consumer nominations are due Friday, January 18, 2008!

The Voice Awards are part of the Campaign for Mental Health Recovery, a program of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Mental Health Services, and the Ad Council. The Campaign is working to reduce the stigma and discrimination faced by young adults and others with mental illnesses. Visit http://www.whatadifference.org to learn more.

Pamphlet Offers Coping Tips for Getting Through the Holidays

The holidays are here again with the customary celebrations, traditions, and stress.

It’s become a cliché that the holidays are a stressful time during which feelings of depression and loneliness can be magnified by what is supposed to a joyful time of year. However, it is no less true.

For people with mental illnesses, the high expectations for happiness and the social obligations can lead to added stress. Knowing this, people with mental illnesses can enter the holiday season armed with coping skills. These coping skills can not only get them through the holiday season but enable them to take part in the festivities.

The pamphlet “Mental Illness: Coping with the Holidays,” by Rev. Susan Gregg-Schroeder of Mental Health Ministries, offers tips for coping with the holidays for consumers, their families, and the clergy. It can be viewed here (http://www.mentalhealthministries.net/links_resources/brochures/holidays.pdf)

So, happy holidays and enjoy the season!

Posted by the Clearinghouse

Gene Linked to Higher Intelligence, Schizophrenia

An article published in the UK’s Times Online in February 2007 discusses the presence of a gene connected with an increased risk of schizophrenia that is also said to enhance brain functioning.

According to studies conducted at the National Institute of Mental Health, this gene, DARPP-32, is linked to higher intelligence. It improves the way that information is exchanged between the striatum, a brain region that processes reward, and the prefrontal cortex, the brain’s executive hub, which manages thoughts and actions. But, if other genes and certain environmental factors exist, this same gene can lead to an increased risk of schizophrenia.

When this circuit works efficiently, the normal outcome is more flexible thinking and improved working memory. As a result, genes such as DARPP-32 that enhance it have probably been favored by evolution.

Check out the article at
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/science/article1355884.ece

Posted by The Clearinghouse