People Involved in the Mental Health System Speak for Ourselves

Legislative Educational Awareness Day Program, Press Conference, Rally, and Presentations

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People who are involved in the mental health system speak for ourselves.

ALBANY, NY (01/10/2011)(readMedia)-- --

WHO: People who are involved in the Mental Health System

WHAT: THREE EVENTS

WHEN: 1-11-11

EVENT 1:

TIME: 11 AM - 1 PM

WHERE: Swyre Theater, The Egg, Albany, NY

WHAT: Program of people involved in the mental health system learning from each other.

EVENT 2:

TIME: 2 - 2:45 PM -

WHERE: West Park, Capitol Building, Albany, NY

WHAT: Rally and Press Conference

EVENT 3

TIME: 3-5 PM

WHERE: Legislative Office Building, Room 711 A, Albany, NY

WHAT: Alternatives Room and presentations by Amy Colesante on Asset Based Community Development; Darby Penney on Trauma, and Daniel Hazen on Human Rights

WHY: More than 600,000 New Yorkers receive "mental health services" each year. Historically we have not been represented by our own voices, but the voices of trade organizations and others largely funded by the pharmaceutical industries to the Legislature. Because we seek Alternatives to the monopoly of the "medical model" and its costly and controversial practices of psychiatry we are consistently underrepresented with limited ability to speak freely as a collective power - on 1-11-11 this changes. In these times of financial crisis, the Alternatives we seek could save New York tax-payers billions of dollars.

THREE EVENTS will bring together hundreds of people on 1-11-11 to put foward our four main priorities: 1) alternatives to the medical model; 2) parental and children's rights; 3) safe and affordable housing; and 4) informed consent for psychiatric treatment required.

Collectively, we say, Our Time Has Come! We Speak For Ourselves! Nothing About Us Without Us! It is time for New Yorkers to make our voices heard, end abuses and force in the mental health system, and provide people in need with the types of help that we want and need! 1) alternatives to the medical model; 2) parental and children's rights; 3) safe and affordable housing; and 4) informed consent for psychiatric treatment required.