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…
UPDATE ON SHIELD ALERT FOR CHARLES HELMER Great news! Thanks in part to consistent and vigorous advocacy by Charles mother, with help from MindFreedom Shield members, Regions hospital has suspended Charles involuntary shock ‘treatment.’ at least for now. His mother says that there is no need for MFI Shield members and activists to send additional…
Stop Silencing Challenges to the Authority of Organized PsychiatryA National Call to Hold the Media and Government Accountable For Immediate Release Contact: Lauren J. Tenney, PhD, MPhil, MPA, Psychiatric Survivor (516) 319-4295 www.LaurenTenney.us WHAT: This is a national call for people with psychiatric histories and their allies to speak out against the media silencing people for challenging…
The Importance of Fighting for Our Rights Last week, we were devastated to learn that the co-founder of MindFreedom, Janet Foner, died unexpectedly. Her unfailing support for our mission right up to last week sustained our organization for thirty years. You are encouraged to share your memories HERE, the site of a tribute by Lauren…
Watch the rest of the Voices for Choices series NARRATION: Involuntary treatment refers to medical procedures undertaken without the consent of the person being treated. In 1975, the world finally got a peek into this traumatic experience through the award-winning feature film “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.” Involuntary psychiatric treatment has become standard protocol…
Watch the rest of the Voices for Choices series NARRATION: Mental health treatment has come in many forms throughout history. For most of history, people considered “crazy” were banished, beaten, or kept locked away in cellars and attics. In 17th-century Europe, they were confined in large institutions, not for purposes of treatment, but to remove…
Watch the rest of the Voices for Choices series NARRATION: Voices for Choices is the first of its kind. Courageous individuals speak out about their experience with the mental health system’s use of force and coercion. They share about alternative approaches and healing modalities they have explored and their effective approaches to…
Two summers ago, I watched as a good friend of mine in North Carolina was involuntarily committed to a psychiatric hospital. Though he posed zero risk to himself or others, he was handcuffed, forcibly drugged, and locked in a psychiatric hospital for weeks against his will. I had experienced four involuntary commitments in my life,…