Tag: coercion

Let’s stop Murphy Bill (forced out-patient treatment becomes routine)

most provisions of the proposed bill are a giant step back from the trend promoting consumer engagement, empowerment, and self-direction by emphasizing professional dominance on advisory committees. The bill also restricts programmatic initiatives to evidence-based practices therefore frustrating development of innovative approaches, many of which may reflect more active consumer involvement and direction than established practices. The bill will also cut funding to statewide consumer networks... … [click on title for the rest of the post]

THAT’S CRAZY: powerful documentary on the coercive nature of psychiatry

THAT'S CRAZY follows Eric, (with a diagnosis) of schizophrenia, as he refuses court ordered medication and pursues his own path to wellness. Eric's decision triggers a series of personal, medical and legal battles providing a window into the conflicting issues raised by mental illness.

First They Ignore You: Impressions From Today’s Hearing on H.R. 3717 (Murphy’s Bill)

by Leah Harris As I walked alone up the stairs to the Rayburn House Office Building this morning to attend the hearing of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health on H.R. 3717 – the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act – I thought about how I wasn’t truly alone. In spirit with me were all the people who had experienced scary, coercive, and dehumanizing interventions in the name of help. In spirit with me were all the well-intentioned family members who didn’t want to force treatment on their loved ones, but didn’t have access to or know about alternative voluntary, recovery-oriented community resources. In spirit with me was every mental health provider who went into the field hoping to really make a difference in their communities, but became cynical and discouraged in the face of so many broken systems and broken spirits. … [click on title for the rest of the post]

Medical Coercion — Tomi Gomory, Madness Radio

If madness isn't like other illnesses, what is it? Should psychiatry have the power of legal coercion? How can the legacy of Thomas Szasz inform new ways of helping people? Tomi Gomory, associate professor of social work at Florida State University and co-author of "Mad Science: Psychiatric Coercion, Diagnosis, and Drugs," explores thinking beyond the medical model of emotional distress. … [click on title for the rest of the post]

To those of us who’ve had our freedom stolen by drugs

To those of us who've had our freedom stolen by drugs forced upon us through various coercive means...and to everyone who did that to us: Nelson Mandela on Day After ReleaseI knew as well as I knew anything that the oppressor must be liberated just as surely as the oppressed. A man who takes away another man’s freedom is a prisoner of hatred... [click on title to read more]

Forced treatment does not work (Lancet reports on a study)

Conclusion: In well coordinated mental health services the imposition of compulsory supervision does not reduce the rate of readmission of psychotic patients. We found no support in terms of any reduction in overall hospital admission to justify the significant curtailment of patients' personal liberty. … [click on title to read the rest]

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