Watch the rest of the Voices for Choices series NARRATION: Strength in any human rights movement is usually measured by people power — this can be witnessed both in the courts and on the streets. Protests against psychiatric oppression have taken place around the world. Worldwide electroshock rallies organized by MindFreedom Ireland call to abolish…
Watch the rest of the Voices for Choices series NARRATION: To fight the misinformation that persists in our society, psychiatric survivors have mounted a campaign to educate the public. Whitaker’s book “Mad in America” has been highly influential in reaching the public. Whitaker’s following grew into MadInAmerica.com, which publishes blogs and news articles about science,…
Watch the rest of the Voices for Choices series NARRATION: Many psychiatric survivors arrive at the conclusion they want to change the system but aren’t sure where to begin. Mental health activism comes in many forms and can be overwhelming at first. There are many ways to get started in the movement. Guidelines exist, but…
Watch the rest of the Voices for Choices series NARRATION: Many groups have led social change movements around the world, but most people have not heard of community organizing and activism led by survivors of human rights violations committed by the mental health system. People who have experienced mental health challenges are often quiet about…
Watch the rest of the Voices for Choices series NARRATION: Peer support involves having people with lived experience provide services. Having peers in a support role allows them to model what is possible after one goes through extreme emotional distress. Peer support is mutually beneficial. According to the “helper therapy” principle described by social psychologist…
Watch the rest of the Voices for Choices series NARRATION: Psychiatric drugs are controversial. Some people take the drugs and find a benefit, some people take the drugs and are harmed, and some people avoid them altogether. Medical journalist and author Bob Whitaker has uncovered a deception in psychiatry’s claim of scientific progress. It sounds…
Watch the rest of the Voices for Choices series NARRATION: In an effort to reduce the harmful experiences occurring in psychiatric hospitals, compassionate alternatives are being created around the world. For people who need a respite from their lives, it’s important to ask, “What would you want that to look like?” One form of crisis…
Watch the rest of the Voices for Choices series NARRATION: In exploring alternative approaches to mental health, it is first important to understand what mental illness actually is. Most psychiatric survivors reject the term “mental illness” altogether, as it supports what is considered the “medical model” of mental health. The medical model is based on…
Watch the rest of the Voices for Choices series NARRATION: If you are experiencing involuntary treatment, you may find yourself in a desperate crisis. Here we will share tools and strategies on how you can fight for your freedom. The typical argument against victims of involuntary psychiatric treatment is that they don’t have the mental…
Watch the rest of the Voices for Choices series NARRATION: Those in favor of forcing psychiatric treatment on people say, “It’s for their own good.” This sounds well intentioned but does not have any bearing on whether involuntary treatment is actually successful at helping most people. Here we will explore several key problems with involuntary…