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MFI Blog
Welcome to a blog by MindFreedom International's executive director David W. Oaks about campaigns for human rights and alternatives in the mental health system. David is a psychiatric survivor who has been a community organizer working for mental health system change since 1976.
2010-01-05
Delay DSM Forever: Problems With Psychiatry's Label Bible May Unite Left and Right
Recently, the American Psychiatric Association announced a one year delay in publishing the next version of their "label bible." Good, let this delay be extended forever. In fact, concern about psychiatry's bullying labeling of people is uniting both the right wing and the left wing! read more...
2009-10-09
10/10: World Mental Health Day or World Psychiatric Drugging Day?
The psychiatric industry named 10 October as "World Mental Health Day." But is it really World Psychiatric Drugging Day? Maybe we need a World Mental Health Revolution day, and that ought to be every day... until victory day? Included here is an open letter I've written to one of the promoters of World Mental Health Day, the US federal mental health system. read more...
2009-09-07
Open letter to Ia Robinson, producer of ABC-TV piece on MAD PRIDE: Why the Over Emphasis on Violence?
On 25 August 2009, ABC-TV's show Primetime Outsider ran a piece on Mad Pride that included an interview with David W. Oaks, Director, MindFreedom International. Here is an open letter from David to the producer of the ABC-TV piece, Ia A. Robinson. read more...
2009-08-25
Musings on Mass Media and Mad Pride
Tonight, ABC-TV intends to air its piece about MAD PRIDE. There's good news, and bad news. read more...
2009-07-17
I'm back from being taped for a national tv news show.
Keep your fingers crossed. read more...
2009-05-12
San Francisco protest shows: Corporate media is often part of the problem in mental health reform.
Educating the public is a key goal of the "mad pride" movement. But the mainstream corporate media is part of the problem. We are protesting in San Francisco, and once more the media is showing the same signs. read more...
2009-05-03
Reporting Live from Minneapolis: Community Organizing in Mental Health
I'm blogging this one early on a Sunday morning from a Motel 6 room in the Twin Cities, Minnesota area, where MindFreedom is having several actions to support the human right of Ray Sandford to say "no" to his involuntary electroshock. read more...
2009-04-20
On mental health change and money: Oregon's Medicaid Advisory Committee
While the following is about an event in Oregon, it applies to Medicaid funding throughout the USA... and really to government-funded mental health system internationally. How can the public influence government-funded mental health services for deep change, so that people helped are empowered, so that there is real choice, so that people are helped more than hurt? read more...
2009-03-12
Economic and ecological collapse? What a great time to question sanism!
The sunny side of global crisis: Why now may be a delightful opportunity to challenge the huge division between those considered "crazy" and those considered "normal." read more...
2009-02-16
News about 'zapping back' on electroshock and their cousins
Some news about electroshock, and other similar devices. A mental health industry publication reports on several 'brain stimulation' devices that are being introduced or already introduced. Watch out! read more...
2009-01-08
Come out, come out wherever you are, from the Mad Closet!
After two years of this new web site for MindFreedom International, one of the most unusual reactions has been people who have publicly told their stories wanting to get their identities as "psychiatric survivor" off the web site. We've complied. But Mad Folk everywhere: Come out, come out wherever you are! Let the world know you have personally experienced the mental health system! read more...
2008-12-22
World Health Organization Promoting Psychiatric Drugging in Poor, Developing Countries
The World Health Organization came out with a new report... and once more it promotes more and more psychiatric drugging in poor and developing countries, without adequate support for advocacy, human rights, voice of mental health clients and alternatives. read more...
2008-12-19
Ray Sandford's Own "Guardian" -- Terri Bradley -- Testifies Against Him
Ray Sandford had his re-hearing about his involuntary electroshock. I've heard from Ray and an eye witness that the hearing did not go well. We're waiting for the judge's decision. read more...
2008-12-10
Ray Sandford Was Electroshocked Today
Even though today, 10 December 2008, is International Human Rights Day... Ray Sandford received another involuntary electroshock on an outpatient, maintenance basis. read more...
2008-11-14
Covert vs. Overt Mind Control, and The New York Times
The New York Times ran an article on 12 November 2008 about the phenomenon of so many people alleging covert mind control. I e-mailed an open letter to Ms. Sarah Kershaw, the journalist. read more...
2008-11-13
Even E. Fuller Torrey's group divided on forced electroshock
Supporters of more involuntary procedures in psychiatry have been divided when it comes to forced electroshock. Fred Frese is one of those with mixed feelings. read more...
2008-11-12
I talked to Ray on the phone. He had his 33rd forced electroshock today.
Today is Wednesday. And that means Ray had another of his weekly involuntary outpatient electroshocks. I talked to him, and also talked to the Governor's office. read more...
My phone call to Governor Pawlenty about involuntary outpatient electroshock.
This morning, Wednesday, Ray Sandford is scheduled for another weekly outpatient electroshock. He is comforted by knowing people are calling the Governor. Did you call yet? read more...
2008-11-07
Time to move on to nonviolent, peaceful direction action.
Today our office dealt with another instance of involuntary electroshock, this time on an outpatient basis of an individual, Ray Sandford, living in his own home in the community. Isn't it time to explore the path of Gandhi and Martin Luther King -- nonviolent direct action? read more...
2008-09-12
Noggin' Bloggin!
A brief "thank you" to the many blogs challenging and seeking to change the mental health system. read more...
