Gaining ground in the movement - Voices for Choices (13 of 13)

Summary

The video script discusses the importance of activism in the human rights movement, particularly against psychiatric oppression. It highlights various initiatives, including the Mind Freedom shield, which mobilizes people to advocate for those subjected to involuntary treatment. The script emphasizes landmark legal victories, such as the O'Connor v. Donaldson case and the Americans with Disabilities Act, which protect individuals from forced psychiatric interventions. Activists share their experiences and call for solidarity in the fight for change, underscoring the necessity of collective action and the ongoing struggle for dignity and respect for people with mental health challenges.

Takeaways

• ✊ Activism is crucial in human rights movements, often measured by people power and public protests against psychiatric oppression.
• 🌍 Global protests, such as the Mine Freedom rallies, aim to abolish harmful treatments like electroshock therapy, especially targeting the disproportionate impact on women.
• 🗣️ Speaking out against unjust government actions is essential; individuals are encouraged to confront issues publicly, despite potential risks of arrest.
• 📢 The Mind Freedom Shield program exemplifies effective grassroots activism, enabling rapid organization and response to involuntary treatment cases.
• 🏥 Successful rescue campaigns highlight the importance of community involvement in combating psychiatric abuses and advocating for patients' rights.
• ⚖️ Legal action has become a powerful tool, with individuals filing lawsuits against schools and pharmaceutical companies to challenge unjust practices and policies.
• 📜 Landmark court cases, like O'Connor v. Donaldson, affirm that psychiatric diagnoses alone cannot justify involuntary commitment without proving danger to oneself or others.
• 👥 The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 plays a vital role in preventing discrimination and ensuring that psychiatric survivors have a voice in mental health policy development.
• 🌐 The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities emphasizes the need for dignity and respect for individuals with disabilities, including protection against forced psychiatric treatment.
• 💪 The mental health movement encourages individuals to connect, heal, and organize, promoting a non-violent revolution for change in the mental health system.

Q & A

What is the primary measure of strength in human rights movements, as mentioned in the transcript?

Strength in human rights movements is usually measured by people power, evidenced through protests and court actions.

What is the purpose of the Mine Freedom rallies held every May?

The Mine Freedom rallies aim to call for the abolition of electroshock treatment, especially highlighting that twice as many women receive electroshock than men.

What is the Mind Freedom Shield program?

The Mind Freedom Shield is a program created by David Oaks to organize and protest on behalf of individuals subjected to involuntary treatment.

Can you give an example of a successful Mind Freedom Shield campaign?

One successful campaign involved rescuing Geetha Roth de Malin in 2011, who was being forcibly drugged at a psychiatric institute. An alert was issued to mobilize protests and contact key decision-makers.

What landmark Supreme Court case is mentioned, and what did it establish?

The landmark case is O'Connor versus Donaldson, which established that a psychiatric diagnosis alone is insufficient to involuntarily commit someone unless they are a danger to themselves or others.

What major law was passed in 1990 to protect individuals with disabilities?

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 was enacted to prevent discrimination based on disability.

What slogan is associated with the National Coalition for Mental Health Recovery?

The slogan is 'Nothing about us without us,' emphasizing the importance of including psychiatric survivors in decisions that affect their lives.

What did the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities establish?

The convention, adopted in 2006, outlines the civil, cultural, political, social, and economic rights of people with disabilities, including immunity from forced psychiatric treatment.

How did the UN categorize forced psychiatric treatment?

The UN declared that forced psychiatric treatment is a form of torture and should be abolished.

What is the message of the movement mentioned at the end of the transcript?

The movement encourages individuals harmed by the mental health system to join in solidarity, emphasizing that they are not alone and that there is support available.