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12 Nov: If it’s Wednesday, then it is time to phone up the Governor of Minnesota and ask some questions: Does the Governor support laws in Minnesota allowing involuntary administration of electroshock therapy (ECT) of people living out in the community? [Update: After alert went out, Ray said his doctor is moving to an every-other-week schedule.]

Ask Gov. Pawlenty questions about involuntary outpatient electroshock in Minnesota.

Ray Alert #2 – 12 November 2008

MindFreedom International Phone-In Campaign:

Is it Wednesday?

Then it is time for you to phone Governor Pawlenty and ask some tough questions!

Join in!

Ask about involuntary electroshock of Minnesota citizens on an outpatient basis!

A MindFreedom investigation revealed that every Wednesday morning, Ray Sandford, 54, is escorted from his supported living home in Columbia Heights, Minnesota to Mercy Hospital for another course of electroshock over his objection.

Each and every Wednesday, Ray gets electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) against his expressed wishes as an outpatient using court orders and special Minnesota laws.

And MindFreedom found out Ray is not the only one.

Join in a MindFreedom international phone-in campaign!

Action: Telephone Governor Pawlenty’s office now:

From anywhere in the world phone (651) 296-3391.

From inside Minnesota phone toll free: (800) 657-3717.

You can leave a message at any time. You can reach staff any non-holiday weekday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Central Time.

Call any day, but especially call on Wednesdays.

Be polite but be firm and persistent.

Ask one or more of these questions:

  • Does the Governor support Minnesota laws allowing involuntary outpatient electroshock?
  • Is the Governor aware that some Minnesota citizens are being escorted from their homes using court orders to receive involuntary electroshock?
  • How many Minnesota residents receive electroshock against their wishes, as either an inpatient our outpatient? Who collects this data? How is this data reported to the public?
  • And if you have any doubts about this campaign, go ahead and ask, “Are reports on the Internet true that some Minnesota residents receive electroshock involuntarily on an outpatient basis?”

You may be directed to another department such as Human Rights. Do not give up. Keep asking. If you do not get a return call soon, call back to complain.

If you do receive any helpful information, e-mail it to news@mindfreedom.org.

UPDATE 10:43 am Pacific Time: Staff in several offices is definitely aware of this campaign. Phone calls to Governor now mainly seem to be re-directed to a voice mail. Please leave a clear message and ASK FOR A CALL BACK. If you do NOT get a call back in a day or two, please phone again asking for a call back.

From the Back Ward to Your Front Porch!

Involuntary outpatient electroshock (IOE) is part of a trend to bringthe power of forced psychiatric procedures out into the community.

Yourhome is no longer your castle… it can become your ward.

Electroshock itself has made a comeback throughout the USA, and internationally, without adequate human rights protection.

The results?

Click here to read the alert about Ray Sandford and his weekly trip to get Involuntary Outpatient Electroshock (IOE).

https://mindfreedom.org/shield/ray-sandford

Did you know that at MindFreedom’s insistence, the UN’s World Health Organization opposes all involuntary electroshock in their official mental health legal guide? Click here:

https://mindfreedom.org/kb/mental-health-abuse/electroshock/who-opposes-forced-ect

Meanwhile…

Every Wednesday, Ray Sandford arrives at the intersection of what is worst about today’s mental health system.

Ray is receiving so-called “maintenance” ongoing weekly electroshock over his expressed wishes while living at home.

Falsely believing “new improved” electroshock is safe, the mental health system is at times administering more than 100 “maintenance” electroshocks to a single individual over months and years.

This could happen to Ray.

This could happen to anyone.

This could happen to you or a loved one.

Taxpayers are paying for much of this. Other proven alternatives beyond psychiatric drugs and electroshock tend not to get as much funding.

The media speculates that Governor Pawlenty may have national political aspirations. He has campaigned for a “get government off our backs” philosophy. He has been Governor since 2002.

Shouldn’t he at least answer some simple questions about one of the worst case scenarios in mental health?

The mental health system today has a lot of “buzz words” like empowerment, self-determination, advocacy, recovery, peer support, transformation, consumer-run, trauma-informed care.

How real are buzz words, when Ray Sandford gets forced outpatient electroshock each week?

Find out! Ask now!

It takes just a few moments. Please nonviolently “zap back” by asking some questions… and do not give up!


From anywhere in the USA or the world phone (651) 296-3391.

From inside Minnesota phone toll Free: (800) 657-3717

Please forward this alert to others with an encouragement to phone and ask.

Ask any day but especially every Wednesday… when Ray makes his 15 mile trip to another forced outpatient electroshock.

If it’s Wednesday, remember Ray!

There’s a reason MindFreedom International can speak out on these issues:

Independent united activism.

Please support MindFreedom and this campaign by joining, renewing early and donating to MindFreedom International today, click here:

https://mindfreedom.org/join-donate

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