We, a group of people with first-hand experience of the mental health system, write to express our concern about what we see as one-sided coverage of this system in the media and to draw the attention of civil rights organizations to the systemic discrimination that we witnessed and experienced. We, our loved ones, or inmates in the facilities where we worked, were exploited for monetary gain and victimized in various other ways. We saw how abuse, corruption, and exploitation were covered up, while victims and critics of the system were silenced and marginalized.

EVERYONE WHO BELIEVES THAT THE PROBLEMATIC ASPECTS OF THE MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM ARE NOT ADEQUATELY REPRESENTED IN THE MEDIA IS INVITED TO SIGN THIS LETTER.

Journalists or human-rights activists wishing to confirm the stories reported below are invited to email the contact person listed at the end of this letter. To achieve a balance between protecting our privacy and providing evidence for our statements, we designated this person to serve as mediator. In the text below, we will use initials marked with asterisks to refer to the persons, whose stories are reported in the letter. The contact person will help the interested parties to meet with the relevant people and to procure the documentation supporting our allegations.

Some of us had the rare fortune to encounter a psychiatrist who treated us or our loved ones with kindness, respect, and integrity; some of us saw patients who were helped, not harmed, by the mental health care they received. However, our experiences led us to believe that such cases are exceptions rather than the norm. We believe that the mental health services suffer from deep, systemic problems, and we want to draw public attention to them, to break the wall of silence, and to initiate a discussion as a step towards creating a humane and efficient system.

WE INVITE THE MEDIA, CIVIL RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS, SUPPORTERS AND CRITICS OF THE CURRENT PSYCHIATRIC SYSTEM, AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC TO DISCUSS THE FOLLOWING POINTS.

Read the entire letter:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WxGo_9fXoE02JihPNw33A6jL-83aXSTU/view?usp=sharing
All signatories entered their full names. The contact person replaced some names with the initials to protect privacy. Full names will be disclosed upon request, with the permission of the signatories.

** TO ADD YOUR NAME, PLEASE COMPLETE THE FORM BELOW; SIGNATORIES ARE UPDATED REGULARLY **
* SCROLL ALL THE WAY DOWN TO SIGN *


1. Yulia Mikhailova, Socorro, NM, USA
3. Tatyana Makhnina, Socorro, NM, USA
4. Jon Jureidini, Adelaide, Australia. Child psychiatrist
5. R. D., Alberta, Canada. My brother was fit and healthy when he was sent for psychiatric 'help' because he was grieving his divorce and children moving away with his ex. He did not survive the 'help' of toxic psych drugs and ECT and died at 40 yrs old. I was also harmed when I was sent for 'help with sleep meds' for insomnia caused by chemo and steroids while in cancer treatment. The psychiatrist was so vile and incompetent she actually labelled the toxic effects of chemo (nausea, vertigo, tinnitus) and the multiple psych drugs she prescribed as "Somatization Disorder."
6. Marieke Jansen, Nijmegen, Netherlands
7. Lana Wheeler, Hyde Park, Vermont. I would like to see ppl with mental health problems treated with care while incarcerated bcuz there's a lot of abuse that goes unrecorded!!
8. C. D., Gauteng, South Africa. Businessman who was polydrugged close to death by psychiatry.
9. Olivia McBride, Washington, USA
10. Tom Todd, Bathgate, UK
11. James Steven-Carter, Edinburgh, UK
12. Ronald Bassman, Colorado, USA. I am a person who was diagnosed with schizophrenia and a survivor of 40 insulin comas and electroshock. Afterwards, after several years of struggle with memory loss, I earned my PhD and became a licensed psychologist and activist.
13. James H Shirley, Glenshaw, USA
14. Sarah Smith, Fall Creek, Oregon, USA. I am the mother of a psychiatric survivor. My beautiful, intelligent, creative, sensitive daughter experienced a spiritual crisis complicated by substance abuse and childhood trauma when she was 19. For years, she was systematically tortured in the name of mental health 'treatment' till she became a shadow of her former self. She experienced forced drugging, restraints, seclusion, and psychiatric institutionalization and was nearly killed by polydrugging. I witnessed how common this is. Other parents are wrongly calling for more psychiatric beds, which means more people will suffer the same harm as my daughter under the medical model. We must commit to a rights-based system in which state-sanctioned torture and psychiatric harm is permanently banned as called for by the United Nations. Human rights must be the bedrock of any effective and humane mental health system.
15. Rose Yesha, Maryland, USA  
16. Jonathan Gunter Post, COVINGTON, GA, USA
17. Dylan Mcleish, Doncaster, South Yorkshire, UK
18. Bonnie Uffman, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
19. Marc Cowgill, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
20. David James, Pueblo, Colorado, USA
21. Sally Hollis, Mosman, NSW, Australia. Artist, writer and composer
22. Larry Inn, KAILUA, HAWAII , USA
23. Gregory A. Britt, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
24. Nonie De Long, Bradford West Gwillimbury, Ontario, Canada
25. W. H., Lakeport, CA, USA. Schizophrenia diagnosis survivor
26. O. S., Britol, Avon and Somerset, England. Schizoaffective individual and Visual artist
27. M. Cohen, Mansfield, Connecticut, USA
28. Pamela Green, Tulsa, OK, USA
29. Ailsa Rayner, Cairns, QLD, Australia
30. Bryan Davis, Poughkeepsie, New York, USA
31. Tami Thompson, Scranton, PA, USA
32. M. P. G., Phoenix, AZ, USA. I am a survivor of coercive psychiatry who recovered despite being diagnosed with a lifelong mental illness and labeled “severely mentally ill” by the state. The doctors were completely wrong! The neuroleptic drugs they forced on me turned me into a drooling zombie, barely able to participate in conversation; my quality of life in “treatment” was worse than zero. I hope we can move towards a more egalitarian society in which people are no longer locked up and forcibly drugged as punishment for experiencing a low point in life. I cannot understand why doctors don’t stop when patients ask them to stop or say they are being harmed. Treating disabled people worse than criminals is unacceptable. Nonconformity is not a crime, so why do we punish it as we do treason? DSM labels lack validity and I’m tired of them signaling to abusers that it’s open season on patients since patients aren’t believed. I’m tired also of drugs with known harms being considered an acceptable standard of treatment. They are not. The current mental health system in the US is hate for profit and requires abolition.
33. Wayne Ellison, Toronto, ON, USA. Have experienced both sides of the mental health system. I didn’t realize how bad the disdain and judgement feels until I went through it. It’s really bad. A lot of senior psychiatrists who know there is a problem but are close to retirement and don’t want to rock the boat.  
34. Pete Durso, Lisle, Illinois, USA
35. Michael Myers, Seattle, Washington, USA
36. A. E., Burley, Idaho, USA. I am a psychiatric survivor. I believe in justice and equality for people who have or are accused of having mental health conditions.
37. Alexis Riley, Nacogdoches, TX, USA
38. Cassie Petty, Beaver Dam, KY, USA
39. Paul Andros, Saint Peter, MN, USA
40. B Sitkin, Boulder, Colorado, USA
41. Nicole Dagerman, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
42. Barbara F., Bonanza, Oregon, USA. My name is Barbara and I live with behavioral health and multiple physical challenges. I am a granddaughter, daughter, and mother with generational trauma. I have two adult sons who also live with genetic behavioral health challenges. We have been engaged in the system of care in both Oregon and Idaho since 2003. I have been trained and educated as a first responder for youth in behavioral crisis. I am part of a movement of peers. I have been certified as a Traditional Health Worker in the areas of Family Partner, Peer Specialist, and Community Health Worker. I have seen both positive and negative sides to services and the media.
43. Michele Koppinger, Gibbon, MN, USA
44. Naomi Yaeger, DULUTH, MN, USA
45. Maria A Mangicaro, New Port Richey, Florida, USA. I am a mental health advocate who seeks to form a uniform advocacy agenda in support of best practice standards of care and treatment to detect underlying medical conditions/substances that induce symptoms of "mental illness".
46. Kent Reedy, San Diego, California, USA
47. Joy Anderson, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA
48. William Keith Mahler, Taunton, MA, USA. Ban Court Ordered Medicine And Psychiatry bancomap.com
49. Mary V. P., Alamosa, Colorado, USA. I am a psychiatric survivor and human rights activist. I began speaking publicly after I experienced job discrimination based on my bipolar disorder.
50. E, Athens, AL, USA. Tired of being told taking your OWN care into your OWN hands is a “selfish” thing to do (...)  Psychiatry is a huge influencer on public opinion of mental “conditions” and a huge money maker and without this ruthless neglect and denial of humanity, many peoples’ wallets would nearly perish and rightfully so. .. Abbreviated, email the contact person for the full comment.
51. William J Dowling Jr, Lakewood, Ohio, USA
52. Michele D., Long Branch, New Jersey, US. I’m a Psychiatric survivor and it’s an absolute miracle that I am alive today to help many going through hardship.
53. Sarah E., Flagstaff, AZ, USA. I'm a psychologist as well as a receiver of mental health services.
54. Arnold Gore, Brooklyn, NY, USA. I am a Health Freedom Activist and see how psychiatry can be used for social and political control to marginalize dissent.
55. Richard A. Warner, Seattle, Washington, U.S.A. Researched ECT for law firm defending man whose memory was obliterated by shock treatment. Have researched outcomes in WA state mental health system. They are extraordinarily poor.
56. Katharine Reidy, Portland, Oregon, USA
57. Gerald L. "Moss" B., Blaine, Tennessee, USA. Psych survivor, drug free since Nov 2003, no re-hospitalizations. Podcaster. Substitute teacher. Founder of a for-profit corporation to help homeless women through produce sales and jobs. Chief Bard of a bardic college (yes, that's a real thing).
58. Sam Gisagara, Camden Town, Greater London, United Kingdom
59. Kim Luciani, Geilston Bay, Tasmania, Australia
60. Nicholas Petcher, Frenkendorf, Baselland, Schweiz
61. Gölök Z Buday, Vancouver, BC, Canada
62. Savika Voratanitkitkul, Chicago, IL, US
63. Jackie Davy, Kelvin Grove, QLD, Australia
64. Sara W., Denver & Taipei, CA & CO & Taipei, USA & Taiwan. I never imagined any imperfection of the mental health profession, while I dreamed and dedicated to become a member of it. As a master-degree-leveled psychotherapist, an insider and a victim, I have been shocked by the grave incompetence and many unethical, inhumane practitioners in this field. I myself was not immune to the harm by my beloved profession. I was abused by the psychiatric authority which was enabled and enabling the flawed legal system, serving as an accomplice to the domestic violence I was suffering , to the point that the experience has traumatized me ever since, and has caused irreversible damages to my life. As an Asian female immigrant in the U.S., I found few mental professionals equipped with multicultural competency, which led to ineffective treatments and sometimes additional harm. I have acted as a whistle-blower on the poor training in the mental health field, as well as having shared my highly intersectional story in my memoir:  American Stew: Why I Fled the Greatest Country on Earth. You do not need an interview with me to learn my story, but I am happy to discuss with you if you are supportive of challenging the problematic systems and advocating for human rights of people with mental health concerns.
65. Dr. Frederic R Ward, Crestline, California, USA. I have a PhD in history of science and philosophy. I’m interested in how society interprets science through their cultural lens.
66. Kim Goldberg, Nanaimo, BC, Canada
67. Nicholas Grech, Mosta, Nil, Malta
68. David Walker PhD, Indianola, WA, USA. I was a troubled drug-abusing teen who favored psych sedatives which were sold widely at school. I grew through many difficulties to become a psychologist working with Native people and writing critical commentary on the oppression within the US mental health system. Change begins with going public and creating fractures in this system’s credibility. Don’t forget it’s the system itself that’s sick and disturbed. I’ve witnessed many abuses over many years of practice. Kudos on your letter.
69. Dena Monticone. Falls Church, Virginia, United States
70. Lucy W., Paddington, London, United Kingdom. I have experienced abuse in the psychiatric system.
71. Kevin Scott Mcgehee, Springfield, Or., U.S.
72. marc gelbman, Toms River, New Jersey, United States
73. Andrew P., Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
74. Kamayani Bali Mahabal, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. Mental Health advocate, Volunteer at emotional support helpline samaritans Mumbai.
75. Rev. Luke A ----==☆, Portland, Oregon, USA. For the commentary, email the contact person
76. Derek Walsh, Mullingar, Westmeath, Ireland
77. Timothy Michael Nolan, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
78. Amy Bostelman, Leander, Texas, United States
79. Ellen Oshea, Katy, Texas, USA
80. Mary Jean Mulherin, Saint Paul, MN, United States
81. Robin Osborne, MAYSVILLE, KY, United States. Advocate and survivor
82. Judith Shalitt, Lakewood, New Jersey, USA
83. wendy micklewright, london, UK
84. Tomas Ukkonen, Mikkeli, Etelä-Savo, Finland
85. David MacLeod, Duncan, British Columbia, Canada
86. Heidi Reyes, Ames, Iowa, USA
87. John E. W., Jr., Bay Shore, New York, USA. I am a K-12 Scholar, (41) year Moderate Athlete (with a (24) year Adult Gym membership), Food Service Worker, Military Subcontract Drafter and Designer, Hospital Volunteer and Entrepreneur with a History of the use of Mental Health Services for my reactions to Trauma and Intimacy Level Issues.
88. Marilyn Esther Goodrich, Smyrna, GA, United States
89. Tim Ives, Bedford Hills, New York, USA. Therapist, have seen first hand the destruction of psych meds.
90. Joy D., Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Regular ECT treatments over the course of 7 months (2010 - 2011) left me with years worth of memory loss including all sense of self identity, and paralyzing anxiety. With the help of an amazing clinical psychologist I learned to live and manage anxiety. No memory returned.
91. Dr. Lloyd Ross, Barnegat, NJ, United States. I am a clinical psychologist who has been in full time practice for 43 years.
92. Nathaniel Newcomer, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, USA
93. Bretta Martin, Brooklyn, NY, United States
94. Elissa Ball, Pueblo, Colorado, United States. Retired forensic psychiatrist. It is my experience that psychiatric treatment is often quite helpful, but that the system itself is often very flawed and sometimes quite corrupt. There are treatment providers who truly care and do their best, and those who abuse their power. The latter do great harm.
95. Vicky K., Toronto, Ontario, Canada. I am currently being drugged against my will with injections of an anti-psychotic. The doctor is cold and ruthless and not willing to wean me off this drug. I feel hopeless because I am on a Community Treatment Order.
96. Al Galves, Las Cruces, New Mexico, USA. I am a psychologist in Las Cruces, NM. At age 25 I suffered a severe depression. I spent a year and a half in treatment with a psychoanalyst. I lay on the couch and said everything that came to my mind. In the process I learned that I could live with the parts of myself that were weak, inadequate, shameful, homicidal. I was noticeably better after three sessions and continued to recovery.  Just accepting what was true, having some compassion for myself and learning to live with it were profoundly helpful.
97. Sky M., Wilmington, DE, United States. I am now of retirement age. I was raised in a family setting with an alcoholic parent who abused each of us with verbal attacks of continuous rants all night long. My older sister would abuse me emotionally, as typical of a narcissist. I grew up very confused about many things. Among other people, I was a bit uncomfortable because I could not relate to the way they saw the world. It wasn't until I was 60 years old that the "why's" and the "how's" and the "because of's" made perfect sense. So up until that time, life was not enjoyable. I existed in a world that made no sense. Throughout my life I would try to get help. Sometimes, I was FORCED to get help. Each time, I encountered superficial, book-educated, fall-in-line with everyone else's thinking, drug pushing and absolutely useless people working in the mental health industry. They only increased my belief that I did not belong here among these "other" people and only angered me inside that what I experienced was considered "help". I needed love. I needed genuine caring. I needed NOT DRUGS to cloud my mind even more. What was the worst, was when I found myself institutionalized, and under the "control" of those in charge, with their threats of physical harm and forced drugging, misconceptions, misinformation, prejudice thoughts and evil thinking abuse of power, of course I had to show "rational behavior" and repressed anger in order to get out of there. I left there worse than I went in for sure. The world needs a "wake-up call". I will do all that I can to educate the world of the realities in modern mental health treatment, and how far off-track they STILL are in their modern treatments.
98. Elizabeth Waiess, Haslett, Michigan, USA
99. Alina Hutton, Sydney, NSW, Australia
100. Sue Parry, Princeville, Hawaii, United States. I'm the mother of 3 sons all of whom were 'at-risk' for having the gateway diagnosis, ADHD (like every other boy in America) and learning problems while growing up. For the last 30 years I've been involved in the ADHD/Ritalin Backlash Movement working to dismantle and abolishing the ADHD/drug industry. We're lucky all our boys have grown up into decent adults and aren't drug addicts, in prison or dead. Thanks to all who've signed this petition.
101. James Joseph Blaha lll, Naperville, IL., USA. Please read my 1st book "Journey Into Self" a psychological autobiography.
102. Liz McCarthy, Royal Oak, MI, United States
103. W. J. Casstevens, Alta, Iowa, U.S.A. I worked in the mental health arena for 15 years, before earning a PhD in social welfare and becoming a academic for another 15, and have seen firsthand harm that can be done to clients/patients trapped in the system. Yes, there can also be benefits, but the public, potential clients/patients, and professionals, need to honestly and critically examine what happens to better understand the risks involved.
104. RAYMOND F VOGT, ARVERNE, NEW YORK, United States
105. Alana Didur, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
106. Yvonne Kravitz, Port Jefferson, New York, United States
107. Cong Tong, Greater Vancouver, BC, Canada. C.f..  manifesto-fact.blogspot.com
108. Jamelia S., Anchorage, Alaska, United States. I have bipolar disorder and am a mental health therapist and peer support specialist.
109. Ken Blatt, West Hatford, CT, USA. Psychiatrist
110. Cheryl Shirley, Glenshaw, PA, United States
111. Lorraine McKenzie LCSW, Eugene, OR, United States. I am a person with lived experience, working as a therapist supporting young adults who have experienced their first episode of psychosis. I am an ally and advocate and believe in everyone’s brilliance.
112. Julie Pytlak, North Mankato, Minnesota, United States of America
113. Ron Unger LCSW, Eugene, Oregon, USA
114. Mr. Evans, Omaha, NE, USA. Originally sought help voluntarily. Fed through free counseling sessions in college up to the talk therapist's business partner who was the MD psychiatrist prescriber. Original issue was girl problems, normal for that age (and now, with some life perspective, those were barely issues). Years of polydrugging created symptoms that didn't exist before, destroyed my physical health... (the contact person can provide the rest of the story on request - it is too long to include here in its entirety).
115. Mon Mor, Elizabeth, NJ, United States
116. Don Poole, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
117. James B. (Jim) Gottstein, Anchorage, Alaska, United States. When I was 29, a few years after graduating from Harvard Law School and practicing law, I got sleep deprived and went crazy, which will happen to anyone who is sleep deprived enough. I was hauled to the psych hospital in a straightjacket and told I would have to take debilitating drugs for the rest of my life and would never practice law again. I was lucky to later find a psychiatrist who told me that was nonsense and I just needed to learn how to avoid sleep deprivation. I write about this a bit in my book, The Zyprexa Papers. I know from experience what is written in the full Open Letter is all accurate.
118. Abigail Svelmo3, Espanola, New Mexico, United States. The Healing House of New Mexico
119. Sooraj Bhatia, Socorro, NM, United States
120. Evan H., Birmingham, Alabama, United States. I have a bachelor's degree in anthropology and sociology, am a board member for a psychology non-profit organization, have written, performed, and recorded over 50 songs, given many presentations on psychology involving Jungian scholarship, clinical nutrition, and psychedelic therapy. I like to walk dogs and have many other elements to my life. However, I've experienced 4 psychiatric hospitalizations, 3 of which were first voluntary but immediately became involuntary under legal petition, either by my parents or doctor. Each was after long relationships with mental health providers as an 'outpatient'. I agree with, reinforce, and completely support this timely, heart-felt, and well-researched letter. Thank you.
121. Shiela Ruth Israel, Ocala, Florida, United States. I still persist with sensory issues which made life very difficult to manage during my younger years when I had to deal with schedule demands, severe exhaustion, social exclusion, and bullying. My disability issues were not diagnosed or supported, and mental health professionals diagnosed the stress, which they caused, as anything from bad attitude to serious mental illness.
122. Patricia Bauerle, Tucson, Arizona, USA
123. Kelly J Davis, Seattle, WA, USA
124. Susan Douglas, MD, JS, RPV, CA, USA
125. Ann Fuller, Lakeville, MN, United States. Person against any kind of forced medications, shocking and unwanted services.
126. Claire R. Chang, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Psychotherapist
127. Carole Hayes Collier, Syracuse, New York, USA. Psychiatric survivor and long time activist for alternatives.
128. Zeya Kai, Moncarapacho, Faro, Algarve, Portugal
129. Jessica Arenella, Ph.D., Bronx, NY, USA
130. Janine Bertram, Seattle, WA, USA. Cross disability activist
131. Kenneth Beitler, Glenview, Illinois, United States
132. S James, Birmingham, United Kingdom. As a survivor, mental health/ psychatric treatment is one of the scariest things I have ever encountered. For the sake of humanity and the world, I request more rights and choice of treatment. Better yet, no forced or coercive drug treatment at all.
133. larry fishman, Oakland, CA, United States
134. Marjorie Herbert, Ypsilanti, MI, United States. PhD candidate, University of Michigan
135. Tom Olin, Bastrop, Texas, USA
136. Teresa Romero, Sebastopol, CA, USA
137. Rhea W., Portland, Oregon, United States. I am a psychiatric survivor who's been off of psychiatric medications for over 18 months now. Although I recognize that I grapple with intense states and challenges to my mental health, psychiatric medications made this worse and took many years of my life away from me. The science for "chemical imbalances in the brain" and the efficacy of psychiatric medications is severely faulty, but the pharmaceutical companies continue to make a profit off of people's suffering, inflicting damage far above that of depression, anxiety or psychosis. People need housing, work, peer support, and social connections - not medications, institutionalization, and isolation. We need a total mental health revolution now.
138. Julia A. Sherman, PhD, Tucson, AZ, US. "Greed and ignorance are exploiting the mentally ill. After dutifully taking my medicines for 15 years, becoming a zombie and nearly dying, I rebelled. My book “Beating Depression and Bipolar Disorder without Drugs: Memoir of Survival in a Male Dominated World” tells the story. Now at age 87, I have not had a mood swing in over 20 years because I used my scientific training to unlock secrets of the illness and master mood swings."
139. Marykate Connor, San Francisco, California, USA. Caduceus Justice
140. Kerry Millay, Surry, Maine, USA. I am a licensed clinical professional counselor and worked for our statewide mental health crisis service for more than 23 years. Our so-called mental health system, which would be more correctly called the mental illness system, is absurd. It is based on the mirage of mental illness, which does not exist in reality. Illness is physical, when it exists. Each person's psychological reality is miraculous. "Man shall learn wisdom, by affliction schooled." As we know, sometimes it is a hard school.
141. Keith Scharding, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. Years helping people to overcome this failed system.
142. Leah Barnes, Palestine, TX, USA. I am an advocate for Mental Health issues being represented properly.
143. Diana Garza, San Antonio, TX, USA. Retired.
144. John Russell, Richmond, VA, USA. Psychiatrist/psychotherapist
145. Kristine A. S., Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, USA. I am a victim of fraudulent psychiatric diagnosis used by the corrupt Chester County Racketeering Ring to take my children for over 5 years. I was drugged aginst my will. I am proud psychiatric survivor who fights to free others from this horrible cult. Star Producer Erasing Family Documentary.  
146. Julie Geredien, Annapolis, Maryland.
147. Sherry Campbell, Rossville, GA, USA. I am a long time social worker and one who has struggled with depression and anxiety myself.  Compassion and understanding is lacking in our mental health care.
148. Michelle Bagley, Kingman, Arizona, USA. Believe that mental health rights are advocated by good people of all parties
149. Daniel K., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. My wife & I were "family court" ordered to receive mental health "services". The  facility we selected was Merakey,(formerly NHS)in Northeast Philly. This was a weekly thing for almost 2 years. The court also ordered an MMPI-2 psychological test for both of us. My wife is legally blind, she cannot take a 500+word computerized "test", and she did NOT. The ethical doctors at NHS, and Merakey, explained to us the who, when, where, and what, the mmpi-2 test consisted of. I received the test (no results made available to me). Wife's "test results" were offered as perjured testimony. The quackologists at ATA, aka FMHS in Philadelphia are venial, vile, specimens, of EXACTLY who should have ZERO to do with bonafide mental health & legal issues. No moral ethics, just get the Title4 money & destroy families.
150. Dr Peter Gordon, Bridge of Allan, Stirlingshire, Scotland. I worked as a Consultant NHS Psychiatrist for 25 years. I retired early because of concerns related to the harmful effects of over-medicalisation. The reductionist bio-medical model has become all-prevailing and this has been exploited by vested interests. I would like to see   human-rights based approaches - based on ethics - to try those who may be struggling in any way in life. I would argue that this should be based on everyday, pluralistic understandings of life and NOT just biomedical determinism and science that is anything but 'disinterested'.
151. Jeroen Holtkamp, Ireland. Survivor, activist, social entrepreneur.
152. Andrea Court, Hull, East Yorkshire, UK.
153. Denis C., Sydney, NSW, Australia. The psychiatry I was put through completely ignored my account of past abuse and philosophical experiences and only served to label me, blaming me for the illness and social consequences.
154. John Herbert, Novillars, Doubs, France.
155. Dr Lucy Johnstone, Bristol, UK. Consultant Clinical Psychologist.
156. Mary Maddock, Rochestown, Cork, Ireland. Any system that causes more harm than good is not fit for purpose.  It can be difficult for any person to survive in our very unequal world but for those labelled by psychiatry it can be a living nightmare!
157. Daniel Fisher, Cambridge, MA, USA. I was abused by the mental health system through involuntary hospitalization, forced medication and seclusion. I became a psychiatrist to fight the hopelessness and abuses produced by the system. I see gradual improvements but want to see a truly hopeful, empowering system.
158. Angie Anderson, CLAYTON LE MOORS,  Near Accrington, Lancashire, UK. Both struggled with MH and worked in it.
159. Chuck Ruby, Ph.D., Welcome, Maryland, USA. I am signing this letter on behalf of the International Society for Ethical Psychology and Psychiatry and as it’s Executive Director. We are very concerned about how the media wrongly portrays the human problems that get labeled “mental illnesses.” These problems are quite common among the overall population, but they are not true illnesses. While the people who experience them can be helped, a medical approach is not the way. Any help must be offered with the full informed consent of the person, something that is not being done today. Honor the human rights of self determination, dignity, and freedom of choice!
160. Darius Ghanat, Charleston, NC, USA. I am an iatrogenic illness survivor. I was prescribed psychotropic medications off label without informed consent. I developed Tardive Dyskinesia, Akathisia and a gamut of other illnesses from these medications. In an effort to figure out what happened to me, I have researched these drugs and joined dozens of iatrogenic groups over the past decade. I have also learned that the media is biased in their reporting of events involving psychotropic medications - which only exasperates the problem and stifles further awareness.
161. Kevin P. Miller, Cleveland, OH, USA. Writer/Director, 'GENERATION Rx'
162. Misha Nova, Dumfries, SCotland, UK. Side effects from psychiatric drugs are dangerous and drive many people to suicide. I am lucky to be alive after being given Abilify.
163. Jennifer G. M., Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA. Our daughter was put into the mental health system when we were seeking help after she was hospitalized during her junior year in college. She was put on multiple medications without her consent or without our consent, all under the fiction of "chemical imbalance." She is still on multiple medications nine years later with no psychiatrists willing to help her wean off of them. No system should put people into the position of having to take medication without the knowledge of how to take them off. Drugged and abandoned is how the system works. This is a crime.
164. Debborah D., Anza, CA, USA. After 40 years of treatment with psychiatric drugs, my condition became increasingly worse, until there were so many physical, and emotional extreme difficulties, which became worse and worse the longer I was on these psych drugs.  I had no support to withdraw from 8 psych drugs.  Which I did sensibly but on my own. It was hell on earth.  The whole experience. The result after several years off those drugs, alarming and amazing improvement in overall health and wellness. I finally have a life. There is a much better way to heal from emotional pain, than drugs, which bring on their own issues, and no hope for the future.  My main concern now, is seeing that too many young adults and children are led down this path, and they never get better under this system of drugs for mental health.  
165. Todd DuBose, Chicago, IL, USA. Professor of Psychology/Licensed Psychologist.
166. Burton Norman Seitler, Ph.D., Ridgewood, NJ. Humans relating to other humans humanely is key. I am a Clinical Psychologist, Psychoanalyst, Editor, JASPER (research journal).
167. Irena Schrangl Österreich Wels 4600 wels All psy medicaments have terrible side effects but docs do not tell us about  and refuse to taper them off.  No one should be treated with meds if he does not want meds. Open Dialogue is better.
168. Maria McCullagh, Cookstown, Northern Ireland, UK.
169. Randy Cima, Jurupa Valley, CA, USA. Retired psychologist.
170. Camille Harrison, Nashville, Tennesee, USA.
171. Kathy W., Sacramento, CA. I am permanently damaged from the toxic effects of psychiatric drugs.  I have been off of them for almost 7 years.  My mental health improved greatly without them but the damage they caused is horrific. They created neurotoxicity which can mimic the symptoms of mental illness. They made me sick.  Too many have no idea that psychiatric drugs create the same symptoms they claim to treat. Bone loss, aquired brain injury, tardive dyskinesia, tardive dystonia, tardive akathisia and several other issues are what years on these drugs left me with.  You rarely if ever hear about the damage these drugs can cause in the media and the public deserves to be informed.
172. Irena Schrangl, 4600 wels, Wels, Austria. All psy medicaments have terrible side effects, but docs do not tell us about them and refuse to taper them off. Antidiscrimination for psy patiencts! No one should be treated with meds if he does not want meds. Open dialogue is better.
173. Rebecca D., Claremont, CA, USA. PhD Student in Positive Developmental Psychology and survivor of the mental health system.
174. Marit Irene Pettersen, Tromsø, Norway.
175. Tony Stanton MD, Poulsbo, WA, USA. I am an adult and child psychiatrist in practice for 50 years. Most of my practice has been devoted to helping children and adults get off psychotropic medications and find creative solutions to the actual challenges in their lives.
176. Loretta A. W., Flushing, MI, USA. The stigma is ongoing, relentless; saturating every fiber of your being. If it were the stigma alone, one might be able to overcome; eventually be able to ignore it! However, of even greater concern is the physical manifestations resulting from the prescribed drugs that damage the brain by altering the brain chemistry, damage kidneys, liver, pancreas, etc.!  Most of the physical manifestations are listed as drugs side effects by the pharmaceutical industry -  side effects, such as fatigue, excessive sweating, joint pain, abdominal pain, heartburn, irritable bowel syndrome, shortness of breath, upper respiratory infections, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, and the list goes on and on (abbreviated, the contact person has the full version)
177. Thaís de Sá Oliveira, Armação dos Búzios, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
178. Karl Zielke, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Our mental Health system is very Dysfunctional, many homeless  people are a result of going through the system that just made their situation much much worse and harder to deal with, because of the system drug pushing harmful pharmaceuticals. Your not going to solve this and many other problems in a pill that was designed to increase profits to share holders.
179. Derry M., Lucan, Dublin, Ireland. Psychiatric Survivor - Guess that cover a bit of it all, worst thing is the long-term effects of medication and trying to taper off it safely.  The bullying and lies of the psychiatric system wear me down.
180. Dr. Jeanne Stolzer, Kearney, NE, USA
181. Bridget S., Y., PA, United States. Psychiatric Abuse Survivor, Severe Benzo Withdrawal Syndrome. polydrugged involuntarily hospitalized. i could go on and on.
182. Maeve O'Donovan, Castleconnell, Limerick, Ireland
183. Cristina M., Prescott Valley, AZ, United States. I am a psychiatric survivor, turned mental health professional because I want to see a new narrative and help create a new paradigm. I want to see change and those from the system are just the individuals to do it!
184. Stephanie Warm, LCSW, Chatham, NJ, USA. psychotherapist
185. Lisa Laskey, Centreville, Nova Scotia, Canada
186. Sandy Maraj, Cambridge, Ontario, Canada. Nurse
187. Roger Branson, Eagle River, Alaska, United States. I am a Mental Health advocate with lived experience.
188. Dr Paris Williams, Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand
189. Seth Farber, PhD, New York, New York, United States. As a psychologist, I was influenced by Thomas Szasz and R .D. Laing (although Szasz thought they were at odds): "Schizophrenia" is not an incurable illness. As Szasz aptly phrased it: People suffer from "problems in living." If the therapist cannot help, it is usually his/her fault. One must believe in the client. One must believe in human potential. Period.
190. Cole Douglas R., Auckland, North Island, New Zealand. Currently been battling a four year battle weaning off psychiatric drugs, in which I’ve experienced severe protracted withdrawal and a host of life threatening symptoms and side effects. Something has to be done getting this out more in the mainstream media. The way big Pharma and their minions the psychiatrists sweep this under the carpet is criminal on every level. It’s a joke and a crime against humanity and needs to be addressed. Cheers.
191. C. G., Gold Coast, Qld, Australia. Psychiatric survivor and a short-lived peer support worker in a non- govt funded organisation, which only served to further damage my mental health. It was the systemic quashing of lived experience  that seemed a tokenistic add-on in staffing  rather than an integral part of understanding a client's self recovery or journey. I am so grateful I was able to wean off harmful drugs and free from a broken mental health system and traumatic hospitalisations that took about twenty five years of my life and affected my brain and self-concept, employability and every aspect of my life. Finally, I was correctly diagnosed on autism spectrum and adhd and helped by equine therapy, ecotherapy of my choice, changing my diet (...) I wish I had never seen a psychiatrist when I was being sexual harassed at a workplace and developed very sane situational anxiety. After entering into their coercive big pharma system, I saw collusion, lies and reproductive control over women whilst detrimental brainwashing (abridged, email the contact person for the full comment).
192. Elizabeth Bevis of Psychiatric Abuse UK (@psychbuseuk), Enfield, North London, United Kingdom
193. Zeno Lee, Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia. Let's treat every human being with care and compassion.
194. Maurice F., South Queensferry, Scotland, UK. Survivor of teenage psychiatry for school pressure, 1980s Wales, which held that for a maltreatment by adults that was not my fault, I should be stripped of all personal liberty and have it dictate personal changes that were nothing to do with my school crisis. Case published in research, as appendix John's Story in thesis Destination Unknown, by Ewelina Rydzewska, University of the West of Scotland 2013, and www.raggeduniversity.co.uk/2015/04/28/eighties-teenage-psychiatry-for-school-pressure-one-writer-squashed-another-by-maurice-frank/
195. Marissa Tan, Rockville, MD, USA
196. susanne stevens, Brecon, UK
197. Kevin Karmazin, Lincoln, Nebraska, United States. It is time we start treating the individual, not the illness.
198. Daniel Mackler, New York City, New York, USA. I'm a documentary filmmaker and former psychotherapist, and I've seen enough things in the mental health system to know that this letter is true.
199. Stuart Randolph Kretchmat, Wilmette, Illinois , USA. I am attorney working entirely in defense of individuals who want to refuse psychiatry, though they are not allowed to do so. www.refusingpsychiatry.com
200. Elaine Liu, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
201. Jeff Danco, Bridgewater, NJ, United States. I am a practicing clinical psychologist for 39 years.  I thank God for the courage of the human beings made in His image and represented in this letter, and I strenuously push back against a view of human suffering that turns people into a collection of molecules to be manipulated by psychiatric drugs.  We can do better; we must.
202. Julie Wood, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 

I lost a healthy, successful son to psychiatry,my spouse and I work for Dr David Healy, my mission is to expose the truth about harmful psych meds.

203. Alan Feinberg, Frederick, Maryland, United States. I often proudly tell people that I'm "Certified Sane" which was too painful for too long, but gave me insights into the damage the mental illness industry does with labels and dangerous meds. However, the experience also gave me empathy and understanding as an ex-patient survivor.
204. Simon Adam, Newmarket, Ontario, Canada. Assistant Professor, York University
205. Jack Carney, DSW, LONG LAKE, New York, United States. Retired clinical social worker and still active community organizer, promoting advocacy efforts in Northern NYS to secure passage in the State Legislature of the single-payer NY Health Act. Worked in public mental health system for 40 years, ultimately from a stance.of anti-psychiatry after witnessing first-hand the mortal damage caused by neuroleptic drugs, particularly zyprexa. Upon my retirement, became a blogger on Mad in America for several years, publishing about 50 articles there. I also served for two years as national coordinator of a failed effort to block publication of the DSM5, and then to persuade prospective subscribers not to purchase it. Like whistling in the dark. Nonetheless, the effort did become international in scope -- UK, France, Germany, Switzerland, Canada. It also impacted current practitioners who have begun to question the integrity of the DSM and the validity/utility of diagnoses. The struggle, as evidenced by this letter, continues.
206. Tipton McMahon, Katy, TX, United States
207. Anna Golinska, CRESCO, PA, United States. I am cultural anthropologist. I have a full understanding of the purpose and structure of mental health system in United States. I've been watching it in action for over 2 decades through my child's experience. From humanitarian point, mental health system was never to cure!
Without dismantling mental health system, medical system can't be reformed. (...)  Under current system we are defined by "tyrants" as an animal and we are treated like animals. It is an American hero Thomas Jefferson that coined the saying “Resistance to tyrants is obedience to God” (abridged, email the contact person for the full version).
208. Jim Probert, PhD. Gainesville, FL, United States. I found my way into the conventional mental health system by way of handcuffs and a squad car, isolation and four-point restraints--and medications that left me holding onto a wall to walk and, soon after, beginning to develop a movement disorder. No one addressed the bullying, death threats, and violence from schoolmates or the sexual abuse from a mentor I had survived. No one acknowledged my isolation and genuine lack of social skills. No one suggested the possibility of finding any kind of support for sorting through my own experiences and beliefs. Gaining release from that locked ward required me to concede my extreme states were meaningless symptoms of an incurable chemical imbalance having nothing to do with my life history or way of being in the world, over which I had no control, and which would require a lifetime of medications and drastically lowered expectations. Then, I fell into a paralyzing and incapacitating suicidal depression. Decades later, I am a psychologist at the University of Florida student counseling agency, where we have been moving toward fulfilling a 2017 United Nations report emphasizing rights-based professional training, provision of genuine informed consent, and availability of non-compromised peer support alternatives. These programs and philosophy are documented in Community Mental Health Journal ( https://rdcu.be/cjOxr ).
209. Dorothy D., Newton, MA, USA. I was almost killed by ECT and my roommate was killed in the bed next to me. The mental health system is abusive and horrifying and must be completely changed into a caring community with more compassion and kindness and understanding.
210. Sonia K. Weaver, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, United States of America. I was harmed by psych drugs and ECT. I am now living a good life in spite of psychiatry.
211. Lee Coleman MD, Berkeley, California, USA. Throughout my career as a psychiatrist, I have refused to engage in any form of coercive treatment. Such "treatment" is actually an oxymoron, since genuine patients are always collaborators rather than victims of oppression. I support every word of the above discussion written by my esteemed colleagues from the survivor community and from critical psychiatry and psychology. Psychiatry and its allies from Pharma and Government will never see the light;  there is too much money and too much prestige involved, so it is up to the Media to help us lead the way. The growth of a genuine understanding of the profound harms of our current mental health system will require a collaboration leading to long term political and legal reform, one that will finally free the mentally troubled from psychiatry and (yes) psychiatry from its role as jailers and false prophets of our legal system.
212. STARR Rebecca STODDARD, SANTAQUIN, UT, United States
213. Irit Shimrat, VANCOUVER, BC, Canada. I and many other people I know have been incarcerated, forcibly drugged and badly damaged in the name of "mental health." I am signing this letter because it's better than nothing. The problem, however, is not that psychiatry needs to be reformed, but rather that it needs to be exposed as a hugely lucrative and harmful pseudoscience.
214. Sylvia Caras, Santa Cruz, CA, United States. PeopleWho.org, people who experience moodswings, fear, voices and visions.
215. Anna L B, Oakridge, Oregon, United States. Survivor of forced psychiatric drugging. While I was being involuntarily held at a Lane County psychiatric hospital (2003) I was threatened by a psychiatrist who said he would have police officers hold me down while being shot up with a drug I refused to take orally. I yelled at this doctor, "If you put ANYTHING in my body without my permission, I will scream rape". He shook with rage but didn't force the shot. I did eventually take the medication but only because my primary care doctor called and ok'd it. 18 years have passed but the traumatic experience stays fresh in my non-sedated mind. They were trying to shut me down and did not succeed.
216. Rudi L., Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. I am a psychiatric survivor, who experienced forced drugging, violent restraint, being sent to facilities that were literal prisons, and falsely told that I needed to take harmful psychiatric drugs for the rest of my life. Fortunately, the movement to end such common, dangerous, cruel, brutal "treatment" is now gaining powerful momentum, as more and more and more of us speak up, rather than remain silent, and falsely shamed.
217. Oryx Cohen, Grafton, MA, United States. I'm someone with lived experience.
218. Nelson Borelli, Chicago, Illinois, USA. I am a Board Certified Psychiatrist.
219. Ptery P. L., Anchorage, Alaska, United States. Psych survivor and Altered Thiver. Was given these heavy drugs while I was in a fasting and in a sleep deprived condition. Any person under those conditions will dream while awake, It is a human need and right to dream. (...)  I respect people taking drugs so long as they are fully informed and consent (abridged, email the contact person for the full version).
220. Eric Setz, Encinitas, San Diego, USA
221. Jill K.i, Ontonagon, Michigan, United States. Psychiatric Survivor who has been the victim of 3 separate Court Ordered AOT (Assisted Outpatient Treatment) ... in the past 5 years. I started “Coalition To End Forced Psychiatric Drugging” on Facebook when I first began being legally tortured 5 years ago. ...  This system has to change! The despair “force-treated” people are living under is way worse than any emotional/spiritual/mental imbalance. I live with daily fear of being brought in again to the hospital—12 times now in 23 years. We need better ways! Join us at www.Facebook.com/SisuCreative23!
222. Thomas Loudon, Prestwick, South Ayrshire, United Kingdom. A Survivor
223. John Peter V., Saginaw, Michigan, U.S.A. I’m a victim of psychiatry’s coercive, oppressive, and harmful practices. I’ve been a psychiatric patient intermittently for over 31 years and can personally attest to how psychiatry lacks empathy and understanding. I haven’t lost site of who I am even after decades of psychiatric abuse. In fact, I’m a caring, compassionate, and knowledgeable Registered Nurse with a second Bachelor’s degree in Biology. Please read the free ebook I’ve written in efforts to express the anguish, stress, and distress psychiatry has caused me in creating a catharsis and much needed change in the practice of psychiatry. My book is titled, “Lost and Misunderstood in Psychiatry but Offering Solutions and Making Resolve.” My free ebook can be found at smashwords.com. Also, please read the petition and sign preferably with comment of which I also wrote titled, “Reparations for an Oppressive and Harmful Psychiatric System.” My petition can be found at thepetitionsite.com. I look forward to your correspondence, support, and understanding.
224. Liam K., London, United Kingdom. I am another sad individual who's been abused by psychiatry.
225. Emma Frances Heath-Engel, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. MFI Alberta Affiliate
226. Catherine E Archias, Brooklyn, NY, United States
227. Mrs Claire Patricia Muir, Dumbarton, United Kingdom
228. Patrick L., Marrickville, NSW, Australia. Hi, I'm a psychiatric survivor from the mental health system. I was tortured with psychiatric drugs for many years.
229. B. Greene, Portland, Oregon, USA
230. Kelli M. Williamson, Eugene, OR, United States
231. Arnold Cantu, Albuquerque, NM, United States. I'm a clinical social worker and social work doctoral student, hoping to contribute to challenging the status quo of mental health services - because our population deserves better.
232. Diane Woodard, Alamosa, CO, United States. One psychiatrist told me, "It's just a society in which money matters more than people.  If you can't beat 'em,  join  'em."
233. lauren spiro, St Augustine, Florida, United States
234. lindsey Bassman, Boulder, Colorado, United States
235. Nykké Ford, Charlotte, NC, United States
236. Vladimir Troitsky, Edmonton, AB, Canada
237. Charles Horowitz, Ph.D., Boulder, CO, United States. psychotherapist
238. Ana B., Brussels, Belgium. The antidepressants I was prescribed when I was a teenager altered my state so I "accidentally" almost died (lost the notion of height). From then on, I experienced receiving a succession of labels and forced hospital stays that deeply traumatized me. I always thought "survivor" sounds exaggerated. It is only working through the pain and fear that I realize, that's exactly who I am. It's a miracle I'm still here.
239. Mustafa Mahmud M., Bogura, Rajshahi, Bangladesh
240. Jill D., Hereford, Herefordshire, United Kingdom. I am a counsellor and activist, and have been working to break the silence and bring change to mental health services for many years. My partner Andy, suffered a life changing brain injury from ECT, and together we strive to raise awareness of this travesty and bring about a Public Inquiry.
241. Ann M., Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland. Four generations of my family and myself have been harmed by psychiatric intervention. We have lost family members to suicide and early death due to direct and indirect intervention from psychiatry. We need to break this harmful cycle within my family and worldwide.
242. Tracey G., Aberdeenshire, Scotland, United Kingdom. My son has learning disability and autism, he is being held in a high secure hospital, Carstairs, Scotland. He is forced to take psychotic medication eleven years, no end date getting him out.  
243. Peter C Gøtzsche, Copenhagen, Denmark. Professor and Director, Institute for Scientific Freedom, Copenhagen, Visiting Professor, University of Newcastle, https://www.scientificfreedom.dk/ and https://www.deadlymedicines.dk/  Twitter: @PGtzsche1
244. Lizanne O'Driscoll, Dursley, Gloucestershire, United Kingdom. Retired nurse, psychology and counselling student, reiki practitioner.
245. Susan S., Millbrook, Ontario, Canada. Polydrugged into disability. Side effects and withdrawal denied by Dr.  Got off everything.  Recovered.  Psych drugs are not as safe and effective as advertised.
246. John D., Woodford Green, Essex, United Kingdom. Son went through MH system.
247. Ruth Hughes, Ardrossan, Ayrshire, Scotland
248. Harriet Vogt, Herstmonceux, East Sussex, UK. Psychologist & qualitative researcher working mostly in healthcare. Personally supporting iatrogenically harmed friends and family. Horrified by much medical ignorance - despite good intentions.
249. Susan Rogers, Cherry Hill, New Jersey, United States
250. Pattie Hartman, Las Cruces, New Mexico, US. I am a person with depression and PTSD, who has also worked in community mental health services and academic research, and who has been traumatized by abusive and coercive practices when I've sought help. The media has promoted the inaccurate stereotypes of people with mental illness as dangerous and incompetent and unstable, adding more problems.
251. Eva Sidwall, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
252. Karen Adler, Wagstaffe, NSW, Australia. I'm a transpersonal art therapist. I'm one of the supremely lucky people who went through a spiritual crisis and didn't end up in the mental 'health' system, diagnosed and drugged for the rest of my days. Many people I know who've had almost identical experiences, were not so lucky, have been on meds for decades with all the iatrogenic harm that comes with these meds, their lives have been derailed by truly evil and stupid people in power, they will die earlier than they should have. I was dismissed from my job  with children in foster care when I expressed my concerns about one of the children I worked with being diagnosed with ADHD, given ritalin, self-harming, the 'professional' response to this was to increase his meds, add an anti-anxiety medication. I would dearly love to see this organisation held accountable and pay for the damage they do on a constant and continual basis.
253. Joyce Shiffrin, Brooklyn, NY, United States
254. Michelle Markus, Hillsboro, Oregon, United States
255. Andrew McKay W., Columbia, SC, USA. I am 67 yrs old have been hospitalized over 30 times. Been diagnosed as a paranoid schizophrenic, depression, schizoaffective disorder, PTSD, and manic depressive. Now, I am only taking Abilify 15 mg. and have stabilized. Psychiatrists have lied to me and my family and they don't know what they are doing (abridged, email the contact person for the full version).
256. Barbara Nicholson Brown, SCOTTSDALE, AZ, United States. I publish an addiction recovery and mental health newspaper monthly and we believe mental health is for everyone, we need the media to cover the positive stories of hope and healing. www.togetheraz.com 
257. Dalia Golchan, Los Angeles, CA, USA
258. Jennifer E B., Stone Mountain, GA, United States. I am a person in long term recovery from mental health and substance use challenges.
259. Julien F., Toronto, Ontario, Canada. I am still struggling with overcoming forced psychiatric treatments.
260. Brent Potter, GREENVILLE, SC, United States. PsyA (Candidate), PhD
261. Athena McLean, Okemos, MI, United States. I am a medical anthropologist (Ph.D.) who has studied abuses in the psychiatric system and then experienced similar ones in a family member. I have written about psychiatric survivors and relevant movements.
262. Naomi R. P., Framingham, Massachusetts, United States. I am an ex mental patient and a human rights worker. I was labeled “homosexual” and hospitalized for two years at ages sixteen and seventeen. I was  forced to endure literally months of “seclusion” ie solitary confinement at Bournewood Hospital because my mother refused to sign off on their “treatment” for my condition. That was shock “therapy.”  Eventually I ran from there, but a couple weeks later was picked up and sent to Massachusetts Mental Health Center (MMH C) for another year. Miraculously, I recovered just as my parents health insurance gave out!
Flash forward forty five years or so. I now worked in a different state psychiatric hospital. And it was WORSE than MMHC in the sixties! I was their Human Rights Officer. That was a sick joke because, guess what? There are no human rights in psychiatric incarceration. Massachusetts Department of Behavioral Health has the hubris  to claim that they do, naming them “the six fundamental rights”. Ha! The right to bodily integrity is nowhere included in these, nor is the right to informed consent. Oh, and don’t let me forget that any complaint whatsoever can be overruled by clinical staff. I resigned from there in 2009. I just want to add to the taxpayers that one night at the locked, maximum security type “hospital” cost $650. I’m sure it’s a bunch more now.
263. Fiona Sinclair, Ayrshire, Scotland. Spokesperson and activist for Autism Rights - www.autismrights.org.uk See our website for our track record in campaigning for the rights of people with autism in Scotland, in particular, to end the inclusion of people with autism within the provisions of the Mental Health Act. In spite of years of campaigning, a Scottish Government review chose to leave mental health law as it stands and chose not to end the forced `treatment` of people with autism, just for being autistic. Only people with Learning Disabilities and autism are subject to such treatment, simply for being disabled. I wish to give my backing to this letter.
264. Cheryl F., Bagley, Minnesota, USA. I have read through the other signature's comments and agree with all of them.  After years of forced drugging, my son has developed tardive dyskinesia and akathisia.  The forced drugging was instigated by psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners who petitioned the court system for civil commitment.  From what I have witnessed, the court system is a sham and there is substantial abuse of power including the disregard for Advance Psychiatric Health Care Directive which is supposed to protect individuals from potential harmful "treatments."  Ironically, he had no signs of mental illness before given these potent, toxic drugs.  The whole system is a travesty.
265. Daniel A., Langley, BC, Canada. Psychiatry stole 20+ years of my life. All because I was a ‘shy’ teenager. I have been bedridden since 2011, unemployed since 2008. All because of the side effects of a drug I took as prescribed. It’s taken 2 years to taper down 75% and I’m very uncertain I will survive tapering the rest. Thanks Doc.
266. Peter Lucas, Bridport, Dorset, England. People with mental health problems are treated as though they were all dangerous criminals ... . The mental health system is systematic discrimination in action and should be torn down. I have a mental health problem and hold four postgraduate qualifications. There are plenty of intelligent and productive people with mental health issues. It's time those who treat us like second-class citizens were removed from their positions of power, from psychiatrists and police officers to the politicians who empower them. (Abridged, email the contact person for the full commentary)
267. Leslie Eileen Hunter, Eugene, Oregon, USA. I’m 78 years old. Unfortunately I had a front row seat to the decline and subsequent death of a family member “treated” by the psychiatric community for schizophrenia. Medications are pure toxic with deadly irreversible side effects. Human contact with kindness and understanding much better.
268. Keetah Bryant, Sechelt, British Columbia, Canada
269. Lia C. Candido, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
270. Greg Scott, Wilmington, North Carolina, USA. 40 years working in MH.
271. David W. Oaks, Eugene, Oregon, USA. Decades ago, I experienced involuntary psychiatric drugging in solitary confinement. Since then I have talked to thousands who have been through human rights violations in the mental health system. This is common, but silenced. This is my 45th year as a psychiatric survivor human rights activist. I am also a quadriplegic in a power chair with a disabled voice. I have a green disability consulting business, Aciu! Institute.
272. Tania Oglesby, Douglas County, Georgia, USA
273. Irene Lerz, Middletown, NY, USA. My entire family has been damaged because of Recovered Memory Therapy practiced by Dr. Mark Schwartz and his Staff at the Castlewood Treatment Center. We have suffered for over a decade. You can read about our experience and others at www.castlewoodvictimsunite.org
274. Kimiko Hawkes, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
275. Dion Zessin, West Point, NE, United States
276. Sabrina Simpkins, Bridgeton, NJ, US. Too many drugs are being forced on to children and adolescents. Parents desperately need to do their own research to find out what the prescribed drugs are for and their side effects. It is the responsibility of each parent or caregiver to be the advocate for their child. Please do not just “take the doctors word for It”. This is a system that needs to be broken down and it starts with us. Go with your instincts and listen to your heart. You know your child, you know who they are. If after taking any prescription drugs you see something off or strange, ask questions and research. YOU ARE IN CONTROL NOT THEM. Be well and peace to you all.
277. Christine Castles, MPH, BSN, RN, Darien, Connecticut, United States
278. Tracey M. Higgins, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
279. Robert S., Brooklyn, New York, United States. The practice of coercive medication is harmful and legislation should be enacted to prevent it. (...) The practice of false institutional statements to conceal wrong actions is rampant. Often the guilty protect the guilty, and patients have no rights. They are harshly mistreated and harmed in and unfair/illegal manner supported by a sick sense of "professional courtesy" and societal stigma. (...)  Too many providers (...) do way more harm than good, mostly in the name of money and profit. (...)  It is nothing more than a guaranteed lifelong repeat customer base for pharmaceutical companies with licensed professionals and institutions partnering as coercive vendor/dealers. There are good doctors who don't do this, but it is rare. Strong legislative reform is needed to prevent these large scale enterprises of profit from profiting unfairly from those in a mentally weakened state or with inability to protect themselves. (...)  Without good policy and legislation people will continue to be harmed unfairly by the greed and malice of others. That can only happen with awareness, strong effort and hopefully national communication of these problems, hopefully from the press (abridge, email the contact person for the full version).
280. Lucia Calaby, Ngunnawal, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
281. Trish Bagley CMFT, Santa Rosa, CA, USA. MFT Retired
282. Seth T., Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Spent 3+ years in hospitals, I call them prisons for the innocent.
283. Cynthia Fisher, Vancouver, Washington, United States
284. Lauren Mueller, San Francisco, California, USA
285. Norman G DeLisle Jr, Leslie, MI, United States. Elderly, with a long history of depression, social anxiety, and PTSD. I work as a policy advocate for Michigan Disability Rights Coalition.
286. Turtle Toms, Atlanta, GA, United States
287. Elahe H., Purcellville, Virginia, USA. I have a daughter who was diagnosed with "schizophrenia" about 21 years ago. That changed the direction of her life and our whole family. The psychiatric treatments not only did not help her, but damaged her severely.
288. Marilyn W., McAlester, Oklahoma, USA. I am the mother of a 52-year-old son who’s been forced-medicated with psychiatric medications the GeneSight test proves his body could not metabolize, and all they did was hurt him. This has been going on since he was 20 years old, over 30 years. These drugs are mind altering and they are dangerous. They cause violence. They cause dependence and addiction and withdrawing from them is hell on earth. My son has been stolen from me. His life has been stolen from him and continues to be.
289. Jacqueline DiPillo, Johns Creek, Georgia, USA
290. Kimberly Wood, Pittsburg, Kansas, USA. I was a registered nurse and a board certified nurse practitioner and spent 28 years in the nursing profession until I suffered a traumatic brain injury from a fall while alone at home with an unknown time of loss of consciousness in 2007. I was seen in ER and followed up six days later with primary care. No neurological follow-up was ever recommended for expected post-brain-injury signs and symptoms, and I was subsequently misdiagnosed with bipolar disorder within 4-6 weeks and inappropriately medicated with many different psychiatric medications for nearly five years, during which time I had frequent psychiatric hospitalizations and 16 ECTs for ""treatment resistant depression"". My physical and mental health deteriorated exponentially during those five years with almost daily falls, fractures and suicide attempts secondary to medication side effects and interactions. I tapered myself off all the meds and my physical and mental health immediately began to improve. I have been off all psych meds for nine years now and have not been hospitalized for over eight years. It is clear every day how many permanent health issues I have due to being erroneously medicated with psychiatric medications for a physical injury.
291. Leah Gitter, New York, NY, United States
292. Marcia Miller, Columbus, OH, United States. I have several beloveds with mental health diagnoses. None of them have been helped yet.
293. Steve Stone, Ashland, Ohio, USA. I recently retired from a 45 year career in community mental health, the last 18 as a county mental health board director.
294. Balbino Grilo M. A., Vieira de Leiria, Leiria, Portugal. I live in Portugal and 10 years ago I was forced to go to the psychiatrist system because I was in a bad moment in my family and job. I was institutionalized and drugged by force. The drugs did me great harm. I've lost my job. For the last 10 years I'm being drugged by force, despite the fact that I'm mentally healthy. This unhealthy and perverse health system must end.
295. Kirsten Hubel, Syracuse, New York, United States
296. Carl Elliott, Minneapolis, MN, United States
297. David Olsen, Prescott, Arizona, united states of america
298. Nancy Pontius, Tucson, Arizona, United States. I have been working with mental health system since 1992, and have been a witness to and a victim of human rights abuses, neglect, and outright assault. I have witnessed elder abuse in mental hospitals, and myself was subject to sexual assault by a client in one of these facilities and when trying to get help for this, they shut me down, silenced me, perhaps afraid of law suits. (...) Also not enough communication, and they take people off meds too fast, so there are withdrawal syndromes, which can cause worse states, physically and mentally, and it can take a long time to recover. (...) I experienced abuse by both clients and workers, on the other hand, also experienced a lot of kindness from both clients and workers at times. (...) The police here are often used to take people to the hospital in crisis (not a danger to others, supposedly always it was termed danger to self, even when not suicidal, just being "manic" etc ). When this happens, then you are on their data base, and so it is difficult to call for help if there is a crime or something, because they just go right into psych eval, and they are not really qualified in this area. There is a lot more that can be said. too exhausting (abridged, email the contact person for the full version).
299. William A. Sutherland, Buffalo, NY, USA. Spent 21 years in New York State Office of Mental Health psychiatric centers for crime that I did not commit with willful intent - if at all. Was promised a six month stay in exchange for my plea, forced medications almost cost me my life. Read more at https://www.madinamerica.com/2019/08/institutionalized-18-years-ago-i-may-never-be-released/
300. Kim Renninger, Pennsburg, PA, USA
301. Rick Alleva, Ed.D., Eliot, Maine, US. Work with youth and those who care for and about them. Have seen the good and bad of MH and related service providers and organizations, but much systemic change is desperately needed to help and heal so many from so much damage done.
302. Cullen Turner, London, Ontario, Canada. I have routinely had psychiatrists in the London Health Care System conflate facts with opinions  for purposes of fraud (...)  They are not motivated to protect the innocent and they have the power of a judge. The review boards are also biased, and a fair hearing is impossible (abridged, email the contact person for the full version).
303. Felice Eliscu, Tucson, AZ, United States. I am an Artist (abridged, email the contact person for the full version).
304. Henry T., Vancouver, BC, Canada. I was diagnosed psychotic after being assaulted by a peace officer for crossing the street on my bike. The whole bloated psych system is a continuation of an outmoded German ideology and does not involve actual evidence or emperical trial and error like other medical disciplines do. The idea that my life can be arbitrarily just stopped on the basis of the opinion of some doctor is disquieting to say the very least.
305. Jill Barbre, Chicago, Illinois, United States. I am a LCSW, an advocate, and an ally in support of this letter.
306. Leah Cole, Edmond, Oklahoma, USA
307. Satu Beverley, Wollstonecraft 2065, NSW, Australia. I have worked with the mentally ill over five decades. I have MSS Hon on social psychology form University of Helsinki Finland and MA on abnormal and clinical psychology from Sydney University Sydney Australia. I have been an Open Dialogue advocate since 2011, I am the carer / mother of Lumi Winterson the author of The Girl in the Mirror published in 2016 and Angel in the Mirror published in 2020. Since her first diagnosis of early psychosis 24 years ago she was first treated by biomedical model and developed a chronic severe treatment resistant mental illness, carrying diagnostic labels including schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bio-polar disease, personality disorder, etc. She became what is called an obese "living dead", a zombie not able to do anything. From 2011 Open Dialogue principles were slowly adapted to her treatment and eventually she was able to return to university and to write her two books about her life,  as well as about the treatments, what helped and what did not. In the second book there is a chapter written by me how I see the development, treatment and prevention of mental illness. (...)  See www.lumiwinterson.com where you ca also read her blogs and subscribe to her free monthly newsletter (abridged, email the contact person for the full version).
308. Monica Ann Cruickshank Nagle, Dover, New Hampshire, United States of America. I own an Art, Music and Publishing Company, Whispering Wood Studio LLC. and have been a Peace and Social Justice Advocate for 63 years... Peace and Blessings.
309. Norma Friedman, South Deerfield, MA, USA
310. Casey McCrillis, Augusta, Maine, USA
311. Patrick S., Burlington, Vermont, United States. I've extensive experience as an inmate of both the military, and the civilian, psychiatric systems.
312. Sean Sliney, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
313. Nokuphila Amanda Masondo, Richards bay, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. I am psychiatric survivor.
314. Rachel Swallow, Altrincham, Cheshire, England
315. Maria Davis, Hillsdale, Michigan, United States
316. Sue Barnhart, Eugene, OR, USA
317. Susan Link, Binghamton, NY. I have been an advocate for people with disabilities for over 30 years. It continues to alarm me how the press portrays them. To be frank, the press uses fear mongering. The state continues to cut Mental Health services and they wonder why we have such a crisis?  
318. Roman Wyden, Ojai, CA, USA. www.ADHDis over.com
319. Sally Angela O. R. (Fabre), Aloha, OR, United States. I am the mother of a son who has been in and out of hospital commitments over the past ten years and is currently in jail due to another mental health crisis on the streets. I bought into the system initially of civil commitment and forced drugs until I experienced what that looked like for my son and our family. He has experienced extreme trauma in his life which I expected the hospitalizations to address. Their only solution was forced meds at very high doses and psychiatrists who enjoyed experimenting with different medications on him. (...)  They would never listen to how it made him feel (...) Visiting him in the "hospital" was worse than a jail visit. You were not allowed to even talk to anyone else, let alone have quality time with your suffering family member. Our system has been broke for a very long time and many working in the field who went into it with good intentions have left. Thank you for this letter of support for those who are suffering in silence and many alone on the street due to how they were treated by those in authority that were supposed to be there to help (abridged, email the contact person for the full version).
320. Veronique Kaboha, London, United Kingdom
321. Svetlana Troitskaia, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
322. Michael Parry, Princeville, Hawaii, United States
323. Nancy Burke, Evanston, IL, United States. I am a psychoanalyst and co-chair of the Psychotherapy Action Network, and I have been involved with ISPS-US for many years.  I have devoted much of my life to supporting treatments of depth, insight and relationship that respect individuals as subjects, rather than  viewing them as pathologies.  I support this letter and the re-visioning of emotional healing it calls for.
324. Andrew H., Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. I was diagnosed as bipolar at age 11 after one failed dose of Zoloft for supposed depression and now as a 31-year old man have been on antipsychotics for most of my life. As a result I am now severely emotionally blunted and anhedonic. I am waiting for the possibility of medical assistance in dying becoming available to people with mental health issues here in Canada in 2 years.
325. Fiona F., Aberdeen, Scotland, UK. I was prescribed Nitrazepam at age 20 for myoclonic jerks.  Paradoxical reaction went unrecognised. Health deteriorated and coupled with emotional problems I took an overdose. Referred to psychiatry. On many antidepressants, all classes, patient in old asylum-type hospital and was threatened with detention after suicide attempt, offered ECT, and told I might spend the rest of my life there.  Gradually got myself back to College, University and work, but always on drugs, functioning always impaired. At age 58 I was advised by GP to come off Nitrazepam. Terrible reaction after 3 month taper, 4 years in bed, then required wheelchair, walking frame etc. Now walking independently again. Only when I came off the drugs did I realise they had been making me sick for 40 years. I believed antidepressants were keeping me stable when in fact they were doing nothing at all. Nitrazepam was sedating me and preventing me having a normal life. Now age 66, health not good, and sad to have lost all those years. No psychiatrist ever suggested I could recover, or that I could live a drug free life, I was always advised to stay on the drugs. Was also advised to stay on Nitrazepam by GP until 2012.
326. Jim Miller, London, UK
327. Akshdeep Chokar, Brampton, Ontario, Canada
328. Christopher ChoGlueck, PhD, Socorro, New Mexico, USA
329. Michelle W., Burlington, Vermont, U.S.A. I'm sick of seeing criminals cover-up  of crimes by making their victims look mentally ill. (...) I'm sick of seeing people abused, raped, disrespected, dishonored, and destroyed by this mental health system. There is nothing healthy about the mental health system. (...)  True medicine does NO HARM. (...)  People are literally forced to say whatever the psychiatrist of corrupt judge wants them to say. This is totally different from true medicine, considering that no one coerces a cancer patient, someone who is sick with an infection or virus, or someone with some other physical condition to speak lies about their situation, their experience, and the "treatment" they receive/received. (...) (Abridge, email the contact person for the full version)
330. Elizabeth A. Hopkins, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Survivor - Medical Harm - Medical PTSD
331. Barry Erdman, Boulder, Colorado, United States. Licensed clinical social worker in private practice. Compassionately working with many wonderful people who deserve equal respect and empathy regardless of their personal struggles and differences.
332. Laura Borst United States Texas Houston
333.Rachel Levy United States Oregon Portland I am a social worker,  and it is very clear that our current system is not working for many people.   We need a more humane and holistic mental health system that provides better options and equitable access.    I appreciate groups like Mad in America that are questioning the dominant narrative around mental health,  and we need more of these voices.  
334. Lily Naha United States Massachusetts Greenfield
335. Mike Ervin United States IL Chicago
336. Lua M. United States Maryland Williamsport To create change in the minds of others is harder, when most of society has no clue how torturesome today's mental health system can be on the inside. I have experienced forced hospitalizations for 20 years, 19 electric shocks and been given too many medications to count, which have mostly worsened my condition of what started with depression (abridged, email the contact person for the full version).
337. Simon Joseph Mathias United Kingdom England Salisbury
338. Marieke J. Netherlands Gelderland Nijmegen Suffering from tapering venlafaxine , withdrawl, akathesia . It’s feeling like I’m in hell . Psychiatry needs change in overpriscribed drugs . Inform the patien honestly! Do no harm
339.  Matthew K. United Kingdom West Sussex Crawley Down Father of a son who has been detained many times and subject to prescribed drugs for more than ten years now.
340. Martha Barbone US MA Norton I am a veterinarian, and following a mild traumatic brain injury fell victim to the psychiatric system. My cognitive difficulties due to the brain injury were interpreted as mental illness and I endured 15 years of trauma disguised as treatment in the mental health system including over 70 hospitalizations. After knowing me for two weeks, my first psychiatrist said I would never work again, live on my own, or raise my children, all things I had been doing up until the time I met that psychiatrist. I broke free of the system 7 years ago, returned to work full-time and have had no ongoing issues since I've gotten off all drugs and away from their grasp.
341. Wendy Jane Ivers Scotland, United Kingdom Aberdeenshire Aberdeen I am a qualifed personal and community development worker and a health scientist. My mother ...  is currently being drugged against her will with drugs that induce, prolong, and exacerbate her suffering (abridged, email the contact person for the full version).
342. Diana M Swancutt United States Connecticut Hamden
343. Sherri B. Canada Nova Scotia Beaverbank. I am a survivor of almost three decades of torture (...) . I was stripped naked and injected, then locked up in a cinder block closet. I will spend the rest of my life suffering from Tartive Dyskinesia and Tartive Akathisia. I lost my memories to ECT and I was a single parent. Intergenerational trauma. I swim in fear and anger. I will never recover from their "help" ( abridged, email the contact person for the full version).
344. Heidi Jaeschke Australia South Australia Adelaide My son has experienced incredible  trauma at the hands of those who are paid to help, to care.  The human rights abuses are sickening.  I honestly had no idea how sick & horrible society is until I had personal experience of mental health “care”. I have never experienced such injustice or hatred.
345. Danielle Eggers United States AR Fayetteville
346. Peter Coleman UK Suffolk Felixstowe
347. Helen Spandler United Kingdom N/A Manchester Professor of Mental Health Studies (University of Central Lancashire), Editor, Asylum magazine (personal capacity)
348. Ondrej Stryhal Czech Republic Pardubicky Svitavy
349. Gabriella P. USA CA Santa Clarita Psychiatrists need to stop labeling people (...)  and then give them a life sentence of horrible neurotoxic prescription meds that do more harm than good with no hope of recovery. And offer no alternatives. This was done to my 23 year old son.  (...)  Unfortunately, by the time families find answers & alternatives, their loved ones' life is already destroyed by pharmaceuticals and the stigma of a mental health condition. Doctors are suppose to do no harm, but most psychiatrists do nothing but harm. There needs to be a change. Doctors need to ask about people’s lived life experiences and figure out what is causing their pain that is driving them to have mental health experiences. We have learned that a lot of experts believe mental health issues come from childhood trauma whether the trauma be big or small. Big Pharma is not the solution for this. Compassionate empathetic psychotherapy can be more helpful  (abridged, email the contact person for the full version).
350. Wren Cage USA Texas Fort Worth
351. GJ Huxley Canada QC Gatineau Psychiatric survivor and independent scholar.
352. Zuned Ussen United Kingdom London London. I transitioned from Depakote, Zyprexa to various dangerous drugs like Latuda. They have damaged me for life. I was 23 when I first started them. (...) Disrimination, ppermanent damage, and  other horrible, horrible effects such as tinnitus is something I live with.  (abridged, email the contact person for the full version).
353. Anne B.Usa Nc Morehead Coty Psychiatric drugs have ruined my life. I am cognitively impaired and emotionally numb with serious memory issues. I was never warned of these side effects. The media must address the unimaginable harm of these drugs and the common practice of polydrugging . For me, I was never the same, even after stopping the medications for more than five years. All complaints regarding the treatment and drugs are chalked up to underlying illness . I never had any of these symptoms before taking these drugs.  
354. Pierre-Yves Delamarre France bretagne RENNES.
355. KENT K CHRISTENSEN United States Nebraska OMAHA
356. Philip Kumin United States Maryland Baltimore,
357. Andy D’A. (Dis)United Kingdom Kernow ( Cornwall ) St Austell. Suffer from GP prescribed psychotropic drug damage (abridged, email the contact person for the full version).
358. Michael Coughlin United States MA West Dennis I was a perfectly physically and emotionally healthy male in my late 30s who rarely needed any form of medication to live a happy and fulfilling life. But during the pandemic I was dealing with anxiety and an injury forced me into the hands of my primary care doctor, who told me to go on Paxil without any form of informed consent or warning. I took it 2 days and couldn't sleep for weeks. Turns out I had hypomanic symptoms triggered by the antidepressant and now I might be bipolar. I almost committed suicide because of this.This is a huge problem that can be easily prevented with a simple screening but too many people pretend this issue doesn't exist. it's utterly disgusting the people need to take to the streets to prevent this from ever happening again.
359. Joaquin Petro Windham USA Florida Tampa I am "Mental Health" Enforcement System Survivor. I run quit a few Facebook groups that are focused on critique of aspects of that System (& also a number that are about other approaches to managing problems that are psychosocial or a consequence of neurodivergency ..).
360. Dr. Edward P Schmitt United States Michigan Jenison I am a doctoral licensed Clinical Psychologist and director of a large private group psychology practice
361. Timothy A. Connor Psy.D. USA Oregon Portland
362. John Herbert United States Oregon Cedar Hills I was prescribed antidepressants by a psychiatrist instead of help in dealing with adversity. They reduced my emotions. I dropped the drugs so I could experience my emotions. They tell us about our conditions and needs. (...) we need to become the informed, caring, and effectively active public we need  (abridged, email the contact person for the full version).
363. Alison C. australia Western australia Perth A survivor of the psych abuse industry
364. Simon Russon Uk Kent Canterbury
365. Jonathan Lebolt, PhD, LCSW-C, CGP USA Maryland Greenbelt
366. Steve Harp USA Illinois Evanston Academic (non-clinician)
367. Allan Scholom USA Ilinois Chicago "Clinical Psychologist and Psychoanalyst in Independent Practice
368. Faculty at the Chicago Center for Psychoanalysis and the Institute for Clinical Social Work"
Michael Martinez United States New York Bronx
369. Catherine L Benoist United States MO St Louis
370. Jay E. Canada British Columbia Langley This past year and half, I have had the unfortunate experience, but also opportunity to, to view Regular Medical Health and Mental Health Care system at the same time.  My wife in regular with Stage IV Melanoma Cancer, and a loved one with first psychosis. My wife's Oncologist, who had CT Scans, MRI's, blood tests, and various concrete test that showed the cancer was the first to say he did not know, or did not have all of the answers.  Our loved one's Psychiatrist, who had "No" CT Scans, MRI's, blood test, or any concrete testing whatsoever, said his job was easy and diagnosed after 7 days (ignoring system's own rule of observing 30-60 days). Our family member was put on heavy meds. The risks associated with the Meds or how to come off were never explained.  We were laughed at for asking questions and not accepting his diagnosis (abridged, email the contact person for the full version).
371. Erica Cleverly UK Cornwall Falmouth Retired psychotherapist.
372. Alysia Savoy USA North Carolina Swannanoa
373. Joanne  Newman Australia Western Australia Busselton I'm an academic with a lived experience, passionate about social justice and human rights.
374. Jonathan Dosick United States MA Spencer I've hesitated to refer to myself as 'antipsychiatry;' however, the systemic problems in the mental health system cannot be ignored - the use of coercion, rampant discrimination, poverty, unemployment, loss of basic human rights, etc. etc. So many people believe that the status quo is the only way, and the powers that be (professional organizations, lobbyists, Big Pharma, hospitals) are heavily invested in keeping it that way. There are so many great things happening in the realms of peer support and other alternatives, which go unknown because the media only listens to the poweful, vested interests.
375. Sara Haq UK London London Artist
376. Jeffrey Craig United States MI Davison
377. Selina R. United Kingdom. England Greater Manchester When patients are prescribed antidepressants they are not informed that as many as 1 in 2 will be taking antidepressants long-term — most likely for the rest of their lifetime. When I had my breakdown none of the physicians thought — oh wait a minute — this girl recently got married, has no children at the moment and might want to start a family one day.  The medical team just prescribed the most hardcore psychiatrist medication they could dispense before trying other interventions like taking therapy or holistic medicine. The withdrawal symptoms which i have experienced when trying to taper down this medication have been severe and far more debilitating than the mental state for which they were originally been prescribed. It is not advised to conceive on them.  (...)  I’d been weaning off the drugs myself, and it’s just been getting harder and harder. Withdrawal symptoms that I never in a million years envisaged as being caused by reducing down the dose — insomnia, neuromuscular pain and more.  At times it’s been frightening, gruelling, debilitating. I have tried to wean off these drugs many times. My husband and I are desperate to start a family. My psychiatrist does not and will not support my decision to taper off this medication. Instead my psychiatrist suggested that my husband and I should instead try to adopt a child (abridged, email the contact person for the full version).
378. Chris Tina Swift United States of America Washington Lakebay (please email the contact person to see the comment).
379.  The Cyborg Jillian Weise USA FL Tallahassee
380. Fred Pelka United States Massachusetts Easthampton
381. Dean Solomon USA Florida Daytona Beach
382. Jim Moore USA Texas Austin I have talked with and known many people, some very dear to me, who have been electroshocked by ECT. it's a barbaric practice. Virtually all are on disability. Some died early. Few are happy. Many were heavily drugged first and then declared "treatment resistant". It's a crime and anyone who administers it should be criminally charged.
383. Marcia Lee Goldberg United States Pennsylvania Philadelphia
384. Judy G. - Canada Canada Alberta Medicine Hat I sustained brain injury as a result of domestic violence. My brain injury team sent me to a [psychiatrist] with no informed consent, who drugged me with Prozac for no intelligent reason against the rules of the DSM (for what that junk science is worth.) I immediately suffered severe suicidal urges, as per the black box warning [on Prozac]. Despite their own Dangerous Drug Protocol, no one did anything to remove the offending agent to protect my life. Within a few weeks I ... was finally taken to the ER where ... they removed the offending agent, but instead of upholding the long half life and wash out period (14 days, I think), I went cold turkey for 4 days ... 4 days later, laying in my own pee and poo, vomiting, in and out of consciousness ... I managed to call 911 ...  they drugged me again ...  I suffered a chronic 104 temperature, rash, leg muscles so tight I thought they would break, pneumonia (this is the give away folks- next step - death) liver, kidney, immune system, heart failure and slowly slipped into a coma ...  And when I survived, a [psychiatrist] was waiting to drug me against internist orders (...)  A few days later, I suffered what appeared to be a stroke (...) I sued the doctors ... well that's other story (abridged, email the contact person for the full version).
385. Kristen Freed USA Cape Cod, Massachusetts Harwich I continue to have nightmares about my involuntary hospitalization even a year later. It helps to read that my experience is not unique. I have spent the past year trying to dispute my diagnosis of bipolar disorder given me by the hospital. They admitted their treatment was ‘less than ideal,’ (...)  but continue to say their diagnosis of bipolar disorder was accurate, even though I have never had a depressive episode or intent to harm myself or other in my entire life and I’m 50. I am very successful,...  with excellent credit and driving record. (...)  Triggered by the betrayal of what I thought was a close friend (...)  I went away for the weekend and became lost, confused, disoriented and dehydrated and wandered into an unknown person’s home (...) ,  then continuing on my way in an effort to find my way back to my hotel. The police found me and took me to the ER where they did a CT scan and found a bleed, and I agreed to be admitted. Next thing I knew I’d been involuntarily hospitalized for ten days even though my parents attested I had no past history of mental illness. (..) If you are accused of a crime you did not commit, you have some recourse. But, if you are given a diagnosis of a serious mental illness, bipolar disorder in my case, which you believe does not fit, you have absolutely no recourse whatsoever (abridged, email the contact person for the full version).
386. Ted Chabasinski, J.D. United States California Berkeley At age six, I was taken from my foster parents and turned over to a notorious psychiatrist at Bellevue Hospital in New  York, who was  experimenting with shock treatment on children. Along with the shock, I was repeatedly raped  and kept in solitary confinement.  Soon afterward, I was shipped to a state hospital, where I was frequently kept in solitary confinement for weeks at a time, and constantly told I was a hopeless mental case.  After more than ten years, I was released as a teenager, and it took me many years  to recover from this.  But I eventually was able to become an attorney, representing people like myself in the system.  Quite an accomplishment for the subhuman mental case psychiatrists said that I was.  I don't know myself how I was able to do this.
387. Jenny Dearden UK Greater London London Mother of patient who took his own life in 2019
388. Alvirgia Platt UNITED KINGDOM Bedfordshire Bedford
389. Robin O. United States Kentucky Maysville I  am a psychiatric survivor.  Off meds since  2012 after reading  Robert Whitaker. I had unresolved trauma and used #EMDR and trauma informed care.  I send this message to others as the voice of lived experience.  The medication disabled me and stole my life.  Informed consent is imperative.
390. Kate MacFarlane / Charlie Comins UK Oxfordshire Oxford My memoir Blue Remembered Sky, which I wrote using my writer’s name Charlie Comins exposes institutional racism within the psychiatric hospital where my father worked for the colonial government of Rhodesia as a member of a psychiatric team. The Foreword for my book is written by Dr Lucy Johnstone and I have included a comprehensive bibliography with links to activists and organisations which are campaigning for change in the mental health system in the UK and Zimbabwe. Please read my book!
391. Ruth Houghton Uk Manchester Manchester
392. John Hoggett UK England Nuneaton I have lost count of the number of people who after an hour of friendly conversation tell me about the things that drove them mad, typically family violence and sexual assault, who are in the psychiatric system. I ask them if they have told the services and they say no. I ask them if they want to tell them and they, no, as it would not be worthwhile, they do not want to know and it would be dangerous to do so. I ask them how long they have been in the system and they reply, 10, 20, 30, 40 years. They are drugged up on major tranquillisers, often on a drug cocktail and then left to live in bedsits, often alone. Their lives are limited and the drugs are likely to kill them early. Our friends deserve better.
393. Sarah Richards Uk Kent Kent
394. Maggie L. United States New Jersey BELLE MEAD As someone who has experienced immense harm from the psychiatric industrial complex, I've always felt silenced and alone because of the one-sided mainstream discussion of psychiatry. So many people have been abused by this system and we deserve to have our experiences heard.
395. T.Barika UK Sussex Sussex
396. Alexandra Birrell Uk Norfolk Norwich Mental health worker nearly at my wits end being part of an oppressive system and trying to fight back from within
397. Josephine B.United States New Jersey Howell Im 63 I've been in and out of mental wards since age 14. I tried to wean off these meds 4 times  in the past 5 years but there is not enough support.
398. Eliane Schneider Switzerland Zürich Zürich Survivor
399. Patricia McC. USA California Santa Rosa Prescribed klonopin over 40 years ago for situational anxiety. I rue the day I ever listened to the doctors. Back then the medical profession was all excited about these psych drugs and handing them out like candy. ...  Why I didn't question more deeply and just walk away from taking them? Then I probably would have never ever been through the hell that I'm enduring now. ... Suddenly I was waking up  nightly with panic attacks, heart palpitations. (...)
I realized with some research and help with online support groups that I was having a paradoxal reaction to the medications. They were no longer helping me, but exacerbating symptoms. ...  sought out a general practitioner who said he would give me the script so I could taper, but he ""would be of no help to me because he didn't know how to help me with that."" As soon as I begin the taper Akathisia reared it's ugly head, my body was racked with shaking internally from head to toe ...  I suffered hallucinations, numbness of my extremities, vertigo, nightmares, chronic insomnia plus a multitude of other symptoms.My life became a living hell. ... No direct warnings about taking such medications. Myself and so many, far too many others! We were never warned about dangers of ingesting these medications. ... This is criminal! (abridged, email the contact person for the full version)
400. Cindy Crystal Danzell United States IL Bolingbrook
401. Scott Ladwig United States TX Midland
402. Carol Passmore United States CA San francisco Mental health professional who is disgusted with our current MH system
403. Jenna White LCPC United States IL Chicago
404. Emmy C. Singapore Survivor of the psychiatric system who continues to experience trauma from it. Psychiatry has caused me more trauma than anything else in my life. I believe it is irresponsible for the media to advocate seeking treatment while neglecting to highlight the gross human rights violations perpetuated by psychiatry that harm so many people.
405. Vera Sevelka MSW, RSW Canada Ontario Toronto Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist
406. Cynthia Doodeman United States Illinois Chicago Private practice licensed Clinical Psychologist serving LGBTQ/ BIPOC population. Mental health services accessible only by wealthy/cis/white people causes increases in mental illness in marginalized populations when preventive care could reduce negative impact on society as a whole. Reducing funding as recently considered by insurance companies i.e., BCBS means mental health professionals will need to reduce numbers of pro bono and reduced fee slots to accommodate the large student loan payments taken on to train to provide services for all people.
407. Penni K. United States MT Bozeman I endured a severe stress breakdown, was misdiagnosed as having bipolar "disorder" and traumatized much, much worse by the Employee's Assistance Program and by the mental health industry than by the breakdown (abridged, email the contact person for the full verion).
408. Fern Hunter Australia Queensland Gold Coast
409. Maeve O'Donovan Ireland Limerick Castleconnell
410. Donna F. United Kingdom Stirlingshire Falkirk Psychiatric survivor reclaiming my identity and personhood from a system that gave me a personality I do not have and inducing further trauma on an already traumatized human being. It is only now as I train an an Art Psychotherapist and receive private psychotherapy outside of NHS psychiatry that I realize the damage this system have done and are doing to people. They are not helping with the experiences that lead to mental distress and overshadow all behaviours and emotions with diagnostic biomedical pathologising.
411. Angela Peacock United States TX Livingston Hurt by the mental health system after being traumatized by combat in the US Army. I lost 15 years of my life. Part of my story is in Medicating Normal - the film. Google it to watch or contact us about a screening.
412. Karen Welch USA UT Orem As a healthcare worker (andrologist) I have witnessed the abundance of pseudoscience informing public opinion and policy. Its dissemination, and push, is via the media due to the conflict of interest created by their greatest backer - Big pHARMa (abridge, plemail the contact person for the full version).
413. Elan C. United States New York Queens I'm an ex-psychiatric patient, former peer specialist, and current PhD student in Clinical Psychology. After being diagnosed with a "serious mental illness" eleven years ago, I would be shocked by how my life unfolded. Rejecting the dominant psychiatric narrative and its hopeless outlook was the most important step I took toward discovering my own potential.
414. Maura MacDonald USA NM Santa Fe
415. Kath Bates USA Calif. Atascadero Experience benzo protracted withdrawal syndrome. Humiliated by psychiatrists and doctors. Blamed and misdiagnosed and kicked out of practices.
416. Rosalyn Olick United States Massachusetts Brookline
417.  Cheryl LaFleur USA Michigan Waterford
418. Madeline E J. USA NC Greensboro Lived Experience Scholar/Psychiatric Rehabilitation Doctoral Researcher / Childhood   Psy Survivor
419. Misty Dion United States PA Williamsport
420. Serlin K.Australia NSW Sydney Survivor of psychiatric abuse in Singapore and the USA as a teenager, in various facilities. Deals with chronic pain and post traumatic stress and is very critical of clinical psychology and psychiatry due to this.
421. Marian Murphy Ireland Munster Cork
422. Simone D. Australia NSW Sydney Was forced 7 antipsychotic injections which ruined my life, still trying to recover from forced treatment.
423. Eli D. United States North Carolina Durham mental health professionals, rather than helping me, have only given me ptsd (abridged, email the contact person for the full version).
424. Dr. Dawn L. Sonntag United States WA Olympia I am a classical composer, singer, pianist, and conductor, college educator,  and mother of a son who has been egregiously harmed by psychiatric medications.
425. ChrisTina Swift United States Washington Lakebay I AM A WA STATE LICENSURED MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR (THERAPIST) I HAVE MANY STORIES ABOUT THE PSYCH WARDS ON THE WEST COAST.
426. Susan Shepherd Canada Ontario Millbrook Polydrugged into disability.  Got off all the psych drugs and recovered.  I lost my career, my family bc of suicidal ideation, terror and non stop crying on psych drugs.  All the while being lied to and told it was my "mental illness".
427. Katherine L. United States Connecticut DANBURY I cannot overstate the severity of the damage that the mental health system has caused to me and to a child who was in my care. At every turn, when I needed help, I was met with the most degrading, humiliating treatment.  When I was in the most dire situations -- that's when the abuse from representatives of this so-called helping system was most profound.  This system failed me spectacularly when I was an abused traumatized teenager -- making the decision that near fatal suicide attempt was the act of "a spoiled brat looking for attention" and denying me so much as a conversation about what had led to the attempt.  This denial of services set in motion a course of events that, at age 54, I have not recovered from.  Multiple lives within my own immediate family were destroyed by this system's many failures.
428. David Cohen United States California Los Angeles I'm a professor of social welfare and have studied coercion and iatrogenic harm in the mental health system for 40 years.
429. Adriana Carill. Socorro, NM
430. Andrea S. United States IL Carol Stream Misdiagnosed with bipolar disorder 40 years ago. Heavily medicated, which caused disability. I actually have C-PTSD, and the psychiatric misdiagnosis has only added to it.
431. Nawal F. United States Oregon Portland Mother of a bipolar daughter
432. Martha M. United States Florida TAMPA I have been mistreated by mental health and they ... abused my son terribly.  ...  I hope my son's story can someday be shared anonymously to stop this torture and murder that is happening behind closed doors.  We still fear psychiatry and I must stay home just to be sure no one ever takes him again.  He was abused severely (abridged, emailed the contact person for the full version).
433. Sheilah H.  United States Florida Bartow. I'm so grateful for this much needed informative letter.  Thank you I have experienced what this letter describes with adverse effects of psychiatric drugs.  There's a Hebrew word "Tikkun" which means "to heal, repair and transform the world."  All of us are said to have a "Tikkun" something we're supposed to do "to heal, to repair and transform the world."  This letter greatly qualifies.  I feel my "tikkun" is to bring understanding for what is known as mental illness."  This letter is a wonderful resource.  I pray this information spread--I want to do all I can to spread this letter.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart.  It took a lot of work to put that letter together.
434. John Herbert United States OR Portland The elites have created culture that sucks us into pursuing the "good life" they advertise  ...  Some peoples understand and live in solidarity.  Let's join them and draw each other in with us, expose the seductions, join each other in loving our neighbors as ourselves (abridged, email the contact person for the full version)
435. B. Greene US Oregon Portland I have experienced the mental health system here in the US.  It wasn't good.  Fortunately I got away from it and found good help through therapists, naturopaths, and bodyworkers.
436. Grace Silvia, LCSW U.S. OR Portland I was lucky. I had severe depression as a kid, then a time of "cracking open" at 30 years old. I  never took meds or went to the hospital. Instead I had a therapist who wasn't afraid of big feelings and other support, and got through it. It informs my work as a therapist now.
437. Dorian Wallace USA NY Brooklyn
438. Phoenix Oaks United States Oregon Portland
439. Radosław Stupak Poland śląskie Sosnowiec PhD student in Psychology and Philosophy
440. Elaine Nykyforuk Canada Alberta Edmonton
441. Mary Clista D. United States NY E. Amherst Peeled my former label of Bipolar Disorder and now helping others know they are not the least bit "disordered," through my efforts in Capture Life Writing.
442. Jacek/Jack H. United States Oregon Salem Person with lived experience of mental health challenges categorized in the medical model as "serious mental illness."  Retired psychologist and program administrator; advocate; by training and experience qualified for "Peer Support Specialist" certification; currently providing consultation and training for traditional and Peer Delivered Services organizations.
443. Gini Leilani witt Australia NSW Wollongbar
444. Sherri  L C. Canada ON Sarnia I am A Mother who lost her Son to suicide because of the negligence of a doctor and nurse. I am here because I didn't realize what was happening and now that My Son is gone I would to try and make a difference and learn from others experiences..yes we all need to stand together and hold these so called drs accountable
445. On behalf of Wildflower Alliance USA MA Holyoke www.WildflowerAlliance.org
446. Ethan A. M. USA New Mexico Albuquerque. I am a retired psychiatric nurse and former psychiatric patient. All of my experience and study leads me to the inescapable conclusion that our system of psychiatric mental health care is utterly broken and corrupt and is causing pervasive harm on an enormous scale. The only reason it persists in its present form is through the influence of the financial interests behind it and the obscene profits that the system generates. Now that the World Health Organization and United Nations have each published indictments of this flawed system, there is no excuse for journalists, policy makers, academics, or mental health professionals to remain in ignorance
447. Katherine R Sheridan USA New Mexico Albuquerque
448. Katinka N. uk uk london Author/ psychiatric survivor, co-founder Antidepressantrisks.org
449. Helena de la Paz United States New Mexico Albuquerque  The constructed system of mental health services in this country needs to shift towards a more holistic, honest and heart-centered way of doing things.  Prioritizing people, instead of corporate interests.
450. Mary OMalley United States Ohio Twinsburg  
451. Erica G. Australia Queensland Lammermoor beach  I am a survivor of domestic violence of 10 years, then to be admitted to institutions for the next 13 years and forced psychiatric drugs that have had terrible results of mental anguish. Weight gain of over 40 kg and now a year of high prolactin which can ultimately result in brain tumour in the pituitary gland . Also been made sterile.
Since I mentioned I wanted to travel the hospital put a border alert on my passport which prevents me from travelling they also stop me from relocating anywhere
452. Gitte Lundin Christiansen Denmark Copenhagen Frederikssund  Psychologist, PhD, worked in the system for years. Horrified by the power of the psychiatric system in Denmark. Horrified by the dominance of ineffective and often harmful so-called treatments and horrified by the lack of basic human rights for patients.
453. Kimberly Renninger USA Pennsylvania Norristown  Director of Advocacy at Hopeworx, Inc.
454. Rita Cronise USA New York Victor  Director of Advocacy at Hopeworx, Inc.  I am distance faculty at Rutgers University, lead instructional designer in the NYS Office of Mental Health funded Academy of Peer Services (online, on-demand training and testing for the certification of peer specialist) and Coordinator of the Virtual Community of Practice, which serves as a bridge between online learning and real world practice. As a person with lived experience myself, I experienced several psychiatric hospitalizations in my 20's and 30's. I found I no longer needed psychiatric hospitalization when I found peer support and then found recovery through WRAP and many recovery-focused training programs that allowed me to redefine myself from a mental patient to a masters level instructional designer. I BELIEVE PEER SUPPORT CAN SAVE THE WORLD and my greatest joy has been to equip peers (through training, connection, and organizing communities of practice where they can find each other) to do exactly that.
455. Please do this : ) USA Oregon Tigard I am on disability and have struggled with my mental illness and addiction issues for years. And am currently trying to improve myself and my life.
456. Leslie Bernard CA Ontario Sutton Substance Use and MH therapist, I have seen first hand the damage done, especially to women. My own Dx of mild depression became exacerbated when I developed RA/fibro at age 42. I watched my expertise and experience become worthless in the eyes of the medical model. Budding advocate for the rights of PWD, CPP, UBI.
457. Adele F. USA California San Francisco Survivor of 11 years of paroxetine withdrawal syndrome misdiagnosed and mistreated by elite psychiatrists and other specialists. Medicine must stop pretending it's rare and come to terms with the high frequency of iatrogenic injury from very commonly prescribed drugs, particularly psychotropics, including antidepressants as well as benzodiazepines and opioids.
458. Australia Victoria Melbourne I am a father of a MH victim who was drugged unethically when they were in a temporary drug-induced psychosis- not a real bona fide Psychosis- but a temporary drug caused condition.
460. Bill S. Endured 21 years of continued incarceration within the New York State Office of Mental Health. United States new york buffalo Was promised a 6 month stay in a hospital in exchange for a plea for a crime I did not commit, spent the next 21 years locked up, forcibly medicated, lost everything.
461. United States South Carolina Easley (email the contact person for the comment)
462. Kenneh United States Hawaii Honolulu Son and parent of persons who stuggle with a mental health diagnosis.
463. Everyone has a Right to autonomy and support without harm. Canada Nova Scotia Halifax. I am a psychiatric survivor of almost three decades of torture from the mental health system. I am 4 years on the other side of psychiatry and I am finally healing.
464. Dr Bob Johnson UK UK Ventnor, Isle of Wight, UK
465. Dr Eric Windgassen United Kingdom Cheshire Hale
466. Dorset Sh. I support this letter as both a medical professional and a survivor of the mental health services United Kingdom
468. Peadar O'Grady Ireland Dublin
469. Peter B.     United Kingdom SHEFFIELD  I support this letter. I am a survivor of psychiatric coercion. I was forced to take 25 drugs a day by psychiatry non of them worked they destroyed my life and social functioning I had to get off them to reclaim my life and be able to be active and function.
470. Paulissa Kipp United States Nebraska Omaha As a Certified Peer support Specialist with intersectionality of mental health conditions and physical disability, representation matters. It is disturbing that even after many years of studies that show that people with mental health conditions and/or disabilities are more likely to be VICTIMS of crime vs. perpetrators, that the media still focuses on dangerousness of people with mental health conditions. And PTSD? Well, here in the us, the perception (again as put forth by a media that only covers veteran PTSD and does not acknowledge that the civilian rate of PTSD is higher than the military rate) perpetuates that belief. The media can do better, but only if people with mental health conditions are at the table to educate the media.
471. Jane Haines UK United Kingdom Carmarthenshire Llansteffan
472. Susan Herman PhD USA NJ Little Falls
473. Add me United States Michigan OAK PARK I am a consumer survivor with lived mental health and incarceration experiences.
474. Dese'Rae L. Stage USA PA Philadelphia
475. Thomas Steven Roth, MBA, MD.                    
476. James Woolsey, Clinical Psychologist, Ret., State Hosp, Las Vegas, NMNM USA Florida Orange Park I worked in mental health in state hospitals, state prisons and juvenile detention facilities for 30 years.
477. Larry Taylor USA IA Marion Hello. I am happy to connect with you, though I cannot tell if this particular question on this form is public (to be published online) or private. Thank you.