Message to Participants at Alternatives 2010

Since the 1980's, the USA federal government has done something decent in mental health: Each year, the feds fund a conference gathering together leaders in services directed by mental health consumers and psychiatric survivors. This year's in California - one mile from Disneyland - promises to have more than 1,000 participants. MFI director David Oaks plans to attend. Here's his message to participants that is being distributed.

URGENT MEMO

To: ALTERNATIVES 2010 PARTICIPANTS

From: David W. Oaks, Director, MindFreedom International

Re: Remember INDEPENDENT ACTIVISM! Join MFI!

I recall my first Alternatives in the 1980's, and many since. There's a warm mutual support. We have all “been there.” We unite in diversity.

For 34 years as a community organizer, I've supported great groups doing peer delivered service (PDS) that receive money from the mental health system. Our people tend to be low income. So “system money” is a necessity. PDS is the best bargain in mental health. Scarce taxpayer money in tough times ought to fund more PDS.

But remember the role of protest and independent activism! Martin Luther King was arrested 69 times for peaceful civil disobedience. Has the need for this gone away? No!

Did you know that next year MindFreedom International celebrates our 25th anniversary? MFI has become one of the main independent voices for people who identify as having experienced human rights abuse in mental health: psychiatric survivors!
Support MFI's activism! Drop by MFI's Exhibit Booth. Come to our Mad Pride Caucus Sat. at 7 pm. Get your email address to us, or email it later to news (at) mindfreedom (dot) org.

On the opposite side is a statement MFI helped initiate at a SAMHSA meeting. Ask your group to endorse. Could Alternatives 2010 participants endorse this by acclamation?

Most important: JOIN MindFreedom International today and become active with us! MFI affiliates are starting up now in many USA states.

Every day is a good day for justice. But MFI is considering a long-term, major, united action building toward 5 May 2012. Give us your feedback.

Yes, diversity is crucial. Therefore, remember to include independent community organizing ACTIVISM in our “mad movement,” too. Thanks!

For more info see:

Info about Alternatives 2010, click here.

Bastille Day Statement about Undue Influence of Drug Companies.

To join MFI click here.

To get on MFI's free public e-mail alert system click here.