Stop the madness: A call to arms

This is a call to arms!

The mental health system today is not being “transformed” it is being deformed. What first evolved as a hopeful message of recovery has devolved into a political agenda.

We are all in big trouble if nobody challenges a “mental health counselor specializing in recovery-focused psychosocial methods” who tells the public that:

• Schizophrenia is not a brain disease, it is caused by trauma
• Delusions and hallucinations are not symptoms, but are caused by life experiences
• Trusting relationships, not medication, lead to recovery
• Nazis take away choices – so those who take away patient's choices are Nazis

These are not the rantings of a lone wolf. Mental health professionals do a great disservice when they post on the internet a definition of recovery that seems to preclude people with schizophrenia who rely on mediation to control symptoms, such as the one using these four criteria:

• Having a social life similar to others in the wider community
• Holding a paying job or volunteering
• Being symptom free
• Being off of psychiatric medications

If recovery means we are headed to a mental health system without medication … we’re all in trouble.

We need to save the mental health system. Don’t let the self-righteous recovery zealots intimidate you. Dare to ask questions and stop the madness.

UPDATE: Read a reaction to this post from Psychlinks Blog.