Outcomes from the

MindFreedom Action Conference

 

American University Washington College of Law

 

Washington, DC

 

April 29 to May 1, 2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Call to Action



MINDFREEDOM/WASHINGTON COLLEGE OF LAW ACTION CONFERENCE

 

APRIL 29, 30 & MAY 1, 2005

 

Action Description Sheet

 

 

Track:  How the Law Can Help Fight Forced "Treatment"

 

Description of Action:  Fight Forced "Treatment"

 

The Legal Track decided that there are many different ways and avenues to fight forced "treatment" and working on this single action item was both the most important thing and plenty to do.[1]  For a number of reasons, including being able to utilize the resources available and because the laws involving involuntary "treatment" are state-specific the organizational structure and follow-up mechanism the Legal Track adopted is employ State Coordinators.  The key things the State Coordinators will work on are:

 

  • Recruiting Lawyers
    • Pro Bono programs
    • Law Schools
    • Lawyer organizations
  • Identifying & Recruiting Expert Witnesses
  • Finding Cases
    • System Change Cases
      • Appeals
    • Create Trouble for Hospitals
    • Help people
  • Providing Information
    • "cookbook" for the various states.
  • Coordinating with the MindFreedom Program

 

PsychRights will help with technical assistance and advice, including preparing materials for use by the State Coordinators and post state specific information on its website.  The State Coordinators will be the follow up Committee and Jim Gottstein was elected to be the liaison to MindFreedom.

 

Timeline of Action Steps and Persons Responsible for Completion  (What needs to be done by when?):

The Track didn't really establish timelines, but feels the structure it has created, including establishing an e-mail list for collaboration and Jim making follow-up contacts can be very effective.  The State Coordinators or people who have agreed to try and find one are:

 

  • Krista Erickson/Jodi NormanIllinois
  • Yvonne Smith Interim Coordinator  -- District of Columbia
  • Anne Dox  -- New York
    • Greater Upstate Law Project.  gulpny.org
  • Louise Bouta Interim Coordinator – Minnesota
  • Byron Stith Coordinator Recruiter – Virginia
  • Francesca Allan  -- BC, Canada
  • Jim Rye Recruiter -- Michigan
  • Aby Adams – Massachusetts
  • Janie Lee -- Kentucky
  • Jim Gottstein -- Alaska

 

Of course, the Track is seeking State Coordinators for all of the other states as well. 

 

In addition Byron Stith has agreed to help in recruiting lawyers by contacting lawyer organizations, such as Trial Lawyers for Public Justice.

 

Measures to be Used to Monitor Progress and Effectiveness (How will we know whether we’re being successful or not?)

 

The following measures were developed to know how we are doing:

 

  • No of State Coordinators
  • No of Lawyers
  • No of Expert Witnesses
  • Cases
    • Results of Cases
  • Other concrete impacts

 

Track Participants

 

  • Jim Gottstein – Facilitator
  • Nels Kurt Langston
  • Krista Erickson
  • Aaron Frishberg
  • Alison Hymes
  • Byron Stith
  • Jodi Norman
  • Francesca Allan
  • Anne Dox
  • Louise Bouta
  • Yvonne Z. Smith
  • Terry Grimes
  • Aby Adams
  • Marcus Planet
  • Janie Lee
  • Andrew Phelps
  • Paula Caplan
  • Ron Thompson
  • Nat Lehrman
  • Stephen A. McFadden
  • Leslie Dugas
  • James Rye


MINDFREEDOM/WASHINGTON COLLEGE OF LAW ACTION CONFERENCE

 

APRIL 29, 30 & MAY 1, 2005

 

Action Description Sheet

 

Track: International

 

Liaisons/co-chairs: Celia & Linda

 

Description of Action:

 

1. Support Emerging Voices in Developing Countries:

 

Encourage the development of culturally-appropriate resources and awareness to support the voices of people labeled with psychiatric disabilities for empowerment and self-determination.

 

2. Sound the alarm about the globalization of the psychiatric drug industry.

 

Timeline of Action Steps and Persons Responsible for Completion  (What needs to be done by when?):

 

* Build an international steering committee.  [Celia and David]

 

1. Support emerging voices:

 

a. Network with allied groups such as MDAC, MDRI, WNUSP    [Linda & Larry]

b. Request resources from WHO [David] and other sources.

          c. Create graphics & text for brochure and resource manuals.  [Celia]

          d. Use interactive web site to easily add material [Brian].

          e. Translate materials into other languages [Laura].

          f. Public forums to encourage the voices [David & Linda]

          g. Support Lobbying Alert Letter for the International Disability Convention.

 

2. Sound the alarm

 

          a. Design public relations campaign themes.

          b. Create brochure, poster, CD and web site.

          c. Write articles.

 

2. Measures to be Used to Monitor Progress and Effectiveness (How will we know whether we’re being successful or not?)

 

 

1. Support emerging voices:

 

          a. Are there active liaisons with several allied groups?

          b. Have we requested from WHO and other sources?

          c. Are there brochures and resources manuals?

          d. Is there an interactive web site with material? 

          e. Is material translated into other languages?

          f. Are there public forums?

          g. Is there an impact – are there more members, people contacting us, signing up on alert list, etc.?

          h. Short run: Have we discovered and supported new contacts and built relationships with people labeled with psychiatric disabilities and advocates in developing nations?

          i. Very long run: Are there significantly more leaders, active members and affiliates in developing countries?

 

2. Sound the alarm

 

          a. Have we designed public relations campaign themes?

          b. Have we created brochure, poster, CD and web site?

          c. Are there articles explaining the globalization of the psychiatric drug industry with facts and citations?

          d. Short run: Find other campaigns such as tobacco and GMO to model our campaign after.

          e. Very long run: Millions of people have become aware of the danger of globalization of the psychiatric drug industry.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contact Information for Track Participants (Address, Telephone and E-mail if available):

 

Larry

Linda

Laura

David Oaks

Celia

Dhanesh Samarasan

Diana Hoover – MDAC

Also, MDRI wants to be involved via Laurie Ahern

 



MINDFREEDOM/WASHINGTON COLLEGE OF LAW ACTION CONFERENCE

 

APRIL 29, 30 & MAY 1, 2005

 

Action Description Sheet

 

 

Track:  Open - 1

 

Description of Action:

 

Expand the use of advocates to help people in the mental health system and to educate people about their rights and support their advocacy.

 

 

Timeline of Action Steps:

 

1. Set up more drop in centers

2. Train more advocates

3. Create chapters/networks of advocates

4. Keep it simple (both training and approach)

5. Raise funds from private organizations to support and expand the availability of advocates.

6. Ally with similar organizations.

7. Provide advocates with additional resources and tools.

 

Persons Responsible for Completion: Krista Erickson

 

 

 



MINDFREEDOM/WASHINGTON COLLEGE OF LAW ACTION CONFERENCE

 

APRIL 29, 30 & MAY 1, 2005

 

Action Description Sheet

 

 

Track:  Open - 2

 

Description of Action:

 

Use Political action at local and state levels to change the use of Medicade and Medicare funds towards alternative treatments.

 

Timeline of Action Steps:

 

1.     Learn how to be a lobbyist.

2.     Start lobbying.

3.     Work on political campaigns.

4.     Develop relationships with elected officials.

5.     Meet with elected officials.

6.     Get more survivors to vote and get involved.

7.     Develop alliances based on common interest.

8.     Link up with the effort to train and make available more advocates.

 

Persons Responsible for Completion: Susan Isadore


 


MINDFREEDOM/WASHINGTON COLLEGE OF LAW ACTION CONFERENCE

 

APRIL 29, 30 & MAY 1, 2005

 

Action Description Sheet

 

 

Track:  Open - 3

 

Description of Action:

 

More and better research on treatments other than psychotropic drugs.

 

Timeline of Action Steps:

 

1.     Research into genetic factors and medicine that supports and enhances the natural functioning of the body/mind.

2.     Concrete evidence that alternative approaches are healthier and cheaper.

3.     Additional research on using naturopathic medicine to treat “severe mental illness.”

4.     Write-in campaigns using personal testimony to lobby for research on alternative treatment.

 

 

Persons Responsible for Completion: Sandra Lykins

 

 

 

Contact Information for Open Track Participants (Address, Telephone and E-mail if available):

 

Al Galves

2711 Sunrise Point Rd.

Las Cruces, NM

(h) 505-522-8371

(c) 505-571-3105

 

Jeffrey Wilson

3236 Summer Glen Dr.

Grove City, OH 43123

(h) 614-871-8483

 

Susan Isadore

1110 Fidler La. #1420

Silver Spring, MD 20910

(h) 240-461-8477

 

Sandra Lykins

8177 S. Harvard #84

Tulsa, OK 74137

(h) 918-271-2327

 

Ralph Hoffman

60 Saint Timothy Ct.

Danville, CA 94526-5329

(h) 925-837-4498

 

Krista Erickson

 

 



MINDFREEDOM/WASHINGTON COLLEGE OF LAW ACTION CONFERENCE

 

APRIL 29, 30 & MAY 1, 2005

 

Action Description Sheet

 

 

Track: 2. US Congress/Federal Government, and state governments

 

Description of Action:

·        Address as a matter of extreme urgency the plan for mental health screening based on the Texas Medication Algorithm Project (TMAP)

·        In the longer term, educate all branches of federal, state and local government, as well as the public at large, regarding issues collectively referred to as MH.

 

Timeline of Action Steps and Persons Responsible for Completion  (What needs to be done by when?):                                                                    

·        In the next 60 days, attention must be focused on TMAP-related matters, since the White House is expected to issue directives to federal agencies imminently. These are likely to include screening the Nation’s children for apparent vulnerability to MH problems, and later the whole population.                                               

 

Actions and responsibilities:

                                                    

1.     Educate and Inform Congress and the Public

a)    prepare brochures on selected topics                               - Dominick Riccio, Sharon Hoffman, John Oldfield, and Mike Castaldi.                         

b) support two bills now in Congress:                                                       HR 181 Parental Consent Bill                                          HR *** Child Medication Safety Act                                 - all, plus MindFreedom members at large       

 

c)     encourage MindFreedom members to personally visit and write  local Congressional and Senatorial legislators. especially their aides.         

-         all of us     

2.     Building Coalitions

 

a)    work with minority groups

-          Carla Moxon, Sharon Hoffman

b)    contact professional groups

 - Mike Mancini, Jake Johnson, Mike Ostrolenk

c)     focus on the educational sector

 - Carla Moxon, Grace Jackson

                                                                            

 

  

Measures to be Used to Monitor Progress and Effectiveness (How will we know whether we’re being successful or not?

a)    “Boxer Rebellion” legislation passed

b)    Co-sponsors for supportive bills in Congress

c)     Increased public awareness and concern

 

 

Track 2 participants

 

Facilitators

 

Dominick Riccio

1036 Park Ave, 1B

New York, NY 10028

212-861-7400

 

Jake A. Johnson

Associate Professor, Bowie State University,

Department of Counseling

Bowie, MD 20715

310-861-3239

 

Other participants:

 

Carla Moxon

Citizens Commission on Human Rights International

6616 Sunset Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90028

323-467-4242

 

Della Wilson

Director of “Consumer” run drop-in Center

Unlimited Alternatives

1115 Taylor, N.

Grand Rapids, MI 49503

616-846-8985 or 616-235-9529

  

Stephen A. McFadden

(contact Larry Plumlee

 

Michael Mancini

St. Louis University School of Social Service

314-977-2736

  

Michael Ostrolenk

Govt Aff.  (ICSPP)

  

Paula J. Caplan

26 Alpine Street

Cambridge, MA 02138

 

Michael Castaldi

919 South Clinton Ave.

Apt 508

Rochester, NY 14620

 

Sharon E. Hoffman

1103 Pittsford Mendon Road

Pittsford, NY 14534

  

John V. Oldfield

300 Berkeley Drive

Syracuse, NY 13210

 

 



MINDFREEDOM/WASHINGTON COLLEGE OF LAW ACTION CONFERENCE

 

APRIL 29, 30 & MAY 1, 2005

 

Action Description Sheet

 

 

Track: Media & Public Education

 

Description of Action: Develop a campaign that will (1) attract media attention; (2) recruit members and allies.

 

“Prescription for Truth” campaign

 

 

Timeline of Action Steps and Persons Responsible for Completion  (What needs to be done by when?):

 

1)    George Ebert – 05/08/05

Set up list serve for a “Call to Conscience” for track members (and others with interest) to solidify message and develop future actions.  George to email the Highlander Statement for track members to view.  Highlander Statement concepts to be utilized for campaign message.

 

2)    Track Participants – 07/01/05

Communicate via list serve to solidify campaign message.

 

3)    Track Participants – 07/01/05

Create PSA

 

4)    Track Participants – 07/01/05

Create FACT SHEET that will bullet specifics of the message we finalize.

 

5)    Track Participants – 07/01/05

Compile a condensed statement from Highlander Statement and ask others to add comments/”sign-on”

 

6)    Track Participants – 07/01/05

Compile psychiatrized/survivor stories to be included in campaign message

 

Measures to be Used to Monitor Progress and Effectiveness (How will we know whether we’re being successful or not?)

 

Deadline of July 1, 2005 for most action steps with the intent of beginning media campaign on Bastille Day, July 14, 2005.

 

Contact Information for Track Participants (Address, Telephone and E-mail if available):

 

Laurie Ahern

 

 

Bill Baker

74 W. Bendel Circle

Memphis, TN 30117

901.763.4512

 

 

Vince Boehm

302.999.1116

 

George Ebert

1663 Sterling Station

Sterling, NY 13156-4131

315.947.5888

 

Will Hall

www.freedom-center.org

413.582.9948

 

Brett & Sarah Hartman

196 Euclid Avenue

Albany, NY 12208

 

Brett:

 

 

Mollie Huster

413.467.2216

 

Alison Hymes

7145 Southall Lane

Gordonsville, VA 22942

 

 

Gena K.

 

Janie Lee

545 Dixon Smith Road

Eubank, KY 42567

 

Pierre Loiselle

5274 Rector Street

Halifax, Nova Scotia

B3K 2N4 Canada

902.454.5921

 

 

Julie Ann Rivers-Cochran

850.294.1227

 

Lynn Robinson

406 Westgate Road

Baltimore, MD 21229

 

 

James Rye

68 New Avenue

Yonkers, NY 10704

jjryejjrye@aol.com

 

Joseph Schuman

 

 Della Wilson

616.235.9611

Unlimited Alternatives

office:

1115 Taylor N.

Grand Rapids, MI 49503

616.235.9529

          home:

          14526 Mercury Drive

          Grand Haven, MI 49417

          616.846.8985

 



MINDFREEDOM/WASHINGTON COLLEGE OF LAW ACTION CONFERENCE

APRIL 29, 30 & MAY 1, 2005

Action Description Sheet

Track:

CHOICE IN MH

Description of Action:

 

 

Timeline of Action Steps and Persons Responsible for Completion  (What needs to be done by when?):

CONFERENCE

 

Date chosen: MindFreedom Board--by Dec. '05 (for conference to be held in spring of '07)

Site & location found: Choice in MH Committee -Jan. '06

Accessibility subcommittee & research special accommodations-Jan., '06

Develop budget-Choice in MH Committee -Feb. '06

Potential Co-sponsors identified:Choice in MH Committee -Mar. '06

Conference Coordinator found:Choice in MH Committee -Apr., '06

Develop sponsor letter-Apr., '06

Co-sponsors chosen-Choice in MH Committee-Sept. '06

Scholarship fund-Choice in MH Committee-Nov. '06

Promotion/outreach-start in June, '06-Choice in MH Committee

Find dynamic presenters-call for presentations in Nov., '06

Developing registration materials-start in Jan., '07

 

 

WEBSITE

Develop criteria for what can be put on MindFreedom website section on alternatives-Choice in MH Committee & Board-June, '05

Research existing alternatives-ongoing

Work with MindFreedom webmaster to set up this section of website--by Dec., '05?

Send out an announcement about new section of website-David Oaks, Dec., '05?

Send our link to other organizations' sites--Choice in MH Committee, Dec., '05?

 

 

Measures to be Used to Monitor Progress and Effectiveness (How will we know whether we’re being successful or not?)

 

 

Number of inquiries and responses re conference on guestbook on website

At least 50 people(hopefully 200) attending the conference

Access to alternatives more widespread and alternatives  known more widely

New ideas developed, groups networked & actual alternatives being developed after the conference

Ideas for free, self-help alternatives widely disseminated

People start leaving MH facilities and using these alternatives!

 

 

Current Choice in MH Committee

Janet Foner, chair

Celia Brown

Matt Morrissey

Mollie from Freedom Center

Leslie Dugas

Florence Brown

Caldwell Daniel

Alicia Newkirk

 

 

Contact Information for Track Participants (Address, Telephone and E-mail if available):

 

 

Yvonne Smith

Leslie Dugas

Jane Buth

Caldwell Daniel(registered as Daniel Caldwell, maybe--nametag was backwards)

Alicia Newkirk

Celia Brown

Florence Brown

Nat Lehrman



[1] The Legal Track decided that involuntary commitment is so closely connected to forced drugging that it really needed to be included so the action item was decided to be Fight forced "Treatment."