MFI Frequently Asked Questions

Here are frequently asked questions and answers about MindFreedom International and campaigns on human rights and alternatives in mental health. If you have a question that is not answered let us know at the office, thanks.

Introductory FAQ's about MFI: Most Frequently Asked Questions about MindFreedom International itself: How did MFI start? How do you join? Is MFI independent? And more!
Why join MFI?: Joining MindFreedom helps not only an important social change movement, it also provides you benefits.
FAQ for those seeking other resources: Here are some suggestions for those looking for advocates, attorneys, counseling, alternatives, etc. These are among the most common questions we get every day. While MindFreedom does not have attorneys or counselors on staff, and there are no guarantees, MindFreedom has helped hundreds of people network with one another to create and locate resources.
How do I get free MFI news public email alerts?: Sign-up here to get a periodic email with the latest human rights news, a free public service of MindFreedom International.
How can I write my own human rights alert?: Here are "Top 10 Tips" about how you can create a basic brief alert about human rights or alternatives for yourself or someone else. Unfortunately, nonprofit human rights organizations -- including MindFreedom International -- do not have the resources to research, interview and write up all the alerts that deserve to be publicized. In the Internet age, we all are our own media! A simple alert is an easy way to network with others. Your alert may lead to a larger campaign and could help win a victory of human rights.
I have important news to get out -- how can I?: You are your own journalist! Here is a brief essay with tips about you can "be your own journalist," and tell your story about changing the mental health system as a reporter would. A professional news reporter has reviewed and commented on this essay. [Updated May 2010.]
Including MindFreedom International in Your Will: The following includes several examples of suggested bequest wording to benefit MindFreedom International. Each individual situation is unique and, therefore, these examples include only some of the possible gift opportunities. We encourage you to share your final will provision with MindFreedom International Office to ensure that your wishes will be properly followed and recognized.
What if I can't afford to join at the full rate?: This policy about discounts for low income members was adopted by the MindFreedom International board of directors in 2007.
Attorney letter about MFI independence: MindFreedom attorney David Atkin has provided a letter to clarify and emphasize that MindFreedom has no connection to CCHR or Church of Scientology. This clarification is not to criticize any organization, but to just state the facts.
Other questions asked about MFI: Here are MORE questions that are sometimes asked about MindFreedom International, including what to do if your question is not addressed on the MFI web site. (Last updated: 29 May 2010)
Hoax alerts: Watch out for false info on Internet: These are updated notices about misinformation and fraud found on the Internet that may be relevant to MindFreedom members.
MindFreedom's Privacy Policy: MindFreedom values your privacy. When you join MindFreedom or request that we send you information about our organization, certain information is stored in our database. This information is never shared outside of MindFreedom.

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Lauren Tenney, psychiatric survivor activist from New York State

First involuntarily institutionalized, at 15, Lauren Tenney is a survivor of psychiatry. She has been involved with the user and survivor movement since 1992. Her goal is to help stop forced psychiatric procedures, detainment, and confinement, human rights violations, psychiatric abuse and torture. Of particular concern are the elimination of forced electroconvulsive treatment (ECT) on people of all ages, but particularly children and senior citizens, forced drugging, restraints, seclusion, behavioral interventions, and coercion of any kind. Lauren, a Mad-Activist/ Artist/ Author/ Academic/ Adjunct Professor is coordinating The Opal Project, an outcome of participatory action research she coordinated for field research in the PhD program in Environmental Psychology at the Graduate Center, CUNY. Her dissertation topic is: "The Institutionalized "Community." She became involved with WE THE PEOPLE when the Law Project for Psychiatric Rights and MindFreedom International needed someone on the ground in Brooklyn, New York to coordinate a response where Esmin Green was murdered-by-neglect. She now lives in Albany, NY with her service dog-in-training and cat. For more info: www.TheOpalProject.org and www.etrash.tv