Several hundred people participated in the first Emotional CPR webinar on Feb. 16, 2012

Click here to visit the eCPR website where you may enjoy the video and PowerPoint presentation.

Click here to view the PowerPoint presentation
PowerPoint presentation as a PDF (841KB, 36 pages)
Click here to listen to or download an audio file of the webinar (82.3MB)

NCMHR Visionary C/S/X Leadership Conference - Audio Recording Now Available!

Another lively and inspiring discussion took place this year, featuring Daniel Fisher, Susan Rogers and Wilma Townsend, and moderated by Keris Myrick. If you missed this annual NCMHR event, please click here to access the audio of the presentations.

NCMHR Members and Friends Rally for Real Medicaid Reform

On September 21, 2011 NCMHR and Washington, DC-area advocates participated in the Rally for Real Medicaid Reform, sponsored by a variety of cross-disability, aging, and civil rights groups. "It was an important opportunity to make our voices heard and stand up for a health care system that meets our real needs," said Lauren Spiro, NCMHR Director.

Health Care Reform: Challenges and Opportunities for Behavioral Health Care Reform

Daniel Fisher and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter at the
25th Annual Rosalynn Carter Symposium on Mental Health Policy
held at The Carter Center in Atlanta Nov. 5-6, 2009.

More than 150 mental health advocates, policy-makers, practitioners, educators, and researchers convened at the symposium to discuss “Health Care Reform: Challenges and Opportunities for Behavioral Health Care Reform.” Dr. Fisher presented on the topic of comparative effectiveness research in mental health. He drew on personal lived experience as well as research carried out at the NEC. He pointed out the importance of integrating persons' lived experience into any research into recovery and wellbeing. He emphasized that participatory, qualitative, action research is best suited to gathering evidence as to the most effective means of assisting people to recover. For more information on the symposium, please visit www.cartercenter.org.

Campaign for Mental Health Reform

At the Campaign for Mental Health Reform dinner, March 18, 2009 were: (L to R) Dan Fisher, First Lady of Massachusetts Diane Patrick, Lauren Spiro, and First Lady of Colorado Jeannie Lewis Ritter

On March18, 2009, the Campaign for Mental Health Reform held its annual dinner in Washington, DC, to present awards to Senator Mike Enzi (R-WY), Representative Pete Stark (D-CA) and the First Lady of Massachusetts, Diane Patrick, who has been very honest about her battle to overcome depression. Many grateful words and warm wishes for a speedy recovery were given to mental health and healthcare champion Senator Edward Kennedy, who was receiving medical treatment in Florida on this celebratory evening.

Speaking Up and Speaking Out for Mental Health in the Washington, DC Metropolitan Region: A Call to Action

On September 16, 2008, NCMHCSO brought together 150 consumer/survivors, advocates, providers, and administrators from Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia whose collective knowledge and experience resulted in a report that highlights 6 goals with recommendations to transform mental health care in the DC Metropolitan region.

"It was inspiring to see so many people giving their voices towards transforming not only mental health services but society itself." — Conference participant

[Click for full report (PDF, 8 pages, 181KB)]

Senator Tom Harkin, of Iowa, shares a special time with Dan Fisher, Rachel Freund, and Lauren Spiro at the Presidential Forum in Columbus Ohio, July 26, 2008.

This Forum featured the 2008 Presidential Candidates. John McCain and Senator Harkin, who served as the surrogate for Barak Obama who was in the middle east, presented their visions for the future of disability policy in America followed by questions by Judy Woodruff (news anchor and journalist for "The News Hour with Jim Lehrer". [Click here to view the archived webcast of this historic event]

Our second annual face-to-face meeting in St. Louis, Missouri, October 12, 2007

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Lauren Spiro (National Coalition Policy Director)

NATIONAL FORUM ON EQUALITY, OPPORTUNITY & ACCESS

On November 2, 2007, the National Coalition for Mental Health Recovery, along with more than 20 other national disability rights organizations, co-hosted the Presidential Candidates’ Forum: A National Forum on Equality, Opportunity and Access, in Manchester, New Hampshire. This historic, day-long event featured presidential candidates speaking on disability issues and answering questions from the audience.

“You could feel the excitement in the auditorium on this historic day that brought together unprecedented numbers of cross-disability groups with most of the presidential candidates,” said Lauren Spiro, the National Coalition’s policy director.

“Ted Kennedy Jr. said, ‘We must end social and political isolation. It is not the disability but society’s perception that is the most disabling condition.’ ” The event was covered by television and was Webcast live.

Click to view transcript of the presidential candidate's speeches from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (pdf, 95 pages, 491kb)

People with Psychiatric Histories Gather, Call for Human Rights, Dignity in Mental Health, and Honesty in Medicine

On Saturday, May 5, 2012, more than 200 dedicated human rights activists, most of whom had firsthand experience with the mental health system, gathered inside Friends Center in Philadelphia to rally before marching to hold a peaceful protest at the American Psychiatric Association (APA) Annual Meeting. At the APA meeting, a key topic was the controversial proposed new edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders – the DSM-5 – due to be published in May 2013. The activists represented a broad spectrum of opinion and included those who had had positive experiences with psychiatry as well as those whose psychiatric encounters had been traumatic. All were united in opposing the expansion of the DSM-5. Click here to read the complete news release.

Coalition of Individuals with Psychiatric Labels Supports Protestors’ Efforts to “Occupy” the American Psychiatric Association Convention

WASHINGTON, DC (5/3/12) – The National Coalition for Mental Health Recovery (NCMHR), a coalition comprising 32 statewide organizations of individuals in recovery from mental health conditions, supports an upcoming peaceful protest of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), the controversial “bible” of the American Psychiatric Association (APA). On Saturday, May 5, 2012, as thousands of psychiatrists congregate in Philadelphia for the APA Annual Meeting, individuals with psychiatric labels and others will converge in a global campaign to oppose the APA’s proposed new edition, the DSM-5, scheduled for publication in May 2013. [ Read Press Release ]

Nationwide Survey of Peer-Run Organizations and Consumer-Operated Services is Underway

This study, being conducted by Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, will contribute to information on the role peer-run organizations and consumer-operated services are playing in the mental health system and in our communities.  The study will provide data for planning, reimbursement, and sustainability, and will be important for diffusing the peer-run model, and educating the government, the organizations, and advocates.  It will also allow us to understand the challenges faced by peer-run organizations as the system changes and reforms are implemented.  Participation by organizations in all states is necessary.  Results will be shared with peers, advocates, and government agencies that support mental health. www.peersri.org/projects.html

NCMHR Accepting Nominations for At-Large Board Members

The National Coalition for Mental Health Recovery (NCMHR) is accepting nominations until May 4, 2012 for at-large members of our board of directors. At-large board seats are designated to encourage board representation of a constituency that goes across the NCMHR six federal networking regions. Click here for more information and the nomination form (Word doc, 46KB, 4 pages).

Farewell to Carole Ann Glover

Advocates across the country are saddened by the sudden passing of the hurricane of hope, Carole Ann Glover, Executive Director of Meaningful Minds of Lousiana, and original NCMHR board member. Click to view words of praise (PDF, 220KB, 3 pages)

National Mental Health Coalition Calls
"Dr. Oz" Electroshock Show One-Sided

Coalition Recommends Balanced Coverage of Controversial Intervention 

WASHINGTON, DC (1/26/12) - The National Coalition for Mental Health Recovery (NCMHR) calls upon the producers of "The Dr. Oz Show" to provide balanced and truthful coverage of the risks of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), in which grand mal seizures are electrically induced, usually to treat severe depression. "We are surprised that Dr. Oz would air such a one-sided show," says NCMHR director Lauren Spiro, "as ECT remains one of the most controversial psychiatric practices." 

"Shock survivors" and many other mental health advocates assert that ECT's disabling effects - including permanent memory loss and cognitive deficits - outweigh possible benefits, and call for potential ECT recipients to be told the risks so they can make an informed choice. 

Click here to read the full press release.

National Coalition to work with SAMHSA on BRSS TACS

The National Coalition is pleased to be part of a large SAMHSA contract to support wide-spread adoption of recovery, recovery supports, recovery support services, and recovery-oriented systems of care across the United States". Click here to read more about this new TA Center (PDF, 398KB, 2 pages).

Forced Treatment Doesn’t Work

Here is an excerpt from the USA Today OpEd written by Joseph Rogers, executive director of the National Mental Health Consumers’ Self-Help Clearinghouse:

Studies have shown that what works is not force but access to effective services. We don't need to change the laws to make it easier to lock people up; existing laws provide for that when warranted. Instead, we need to create and fund effective community-based mental health services and supports that would make it attractive for people to come in and receive care, and that would support them in their recovery. We also must end the discrimination that discourages people from seeking help. [Click here to access the USA Today OpEd] [Click here for a version with complete references]

Susan Rogers Receives the 2011 Judi Chamberlin Joy in Advocacy Award

Sally Zinman gave Susan Rogers the award at the 2011 National Coalition for Mental Health Recovery annual open meeting in Orlando, FL. The Judi Chamberlin Joy in Advocacy Award recognizes Judi's lifetime of joyful dedication to bringing hope into the lives of individuals labeled with mental illnesses around the world.

Summaries of Alternatives 2011 Wellness Workshops Now Online

National Coalition member organization P.E.E.R.S. has created summaries of some of the 2011 wellness-related workshops, as well as a synopsis of SAMHSA Administrator Pam Hyde's presentation.

Emotional Health only One Piece of Personal Wellness

Workshop Teaches ABCs of Getting Your ZZZZZZZs

Trainer: Support, Specific Goals Key to Achieving Fitness Objectives

SAMHSA Administrator: Shift Focus of National Mental Health Dialogue from Blame to Social Inclusion

NCMHR to Partner in New Technical Assistance Center

NCMHR will provide consumer input to the Center for Social Innovation, who was awarded the contract for the Bringing Recovery Supports to Scale Technical Assistance Center Strategy (BRSS TACS)." The purpose of this project is to provide policy and practice analysis, as well as training and technical assistance, to States, providers, and systems to increase the adoption and implementation of recovery supports (e.g., peer-operated services, shared decision making, supported employment) for people with behavioral health problems. This project furthers efforts to address the needs of individuals with co-occurring mental health and substance use issues. For more information, click here.

Alternative Care for Psychosis: Preventing Schizophrenia

Open Dialogue has achieved remarkable success helping people through extreme states labeled 'psychosis' and 'schizophrenia' while relying much less on medication and hospitalization.

Interview with Jaakko Seikkula [Click to view]
Madness Radio Interview with Mary Olson [click to view]

National Coalition Mourns the Death of Senator Edward M. Kennedy

Dan Fisher shares with Senator Kennedy how grateful the mental health community was that the Senator has helped the recovery of consumers through his work on health care reform and parity.
They were at the Campaign for Mental Health Reform's Gala Dinner in Washington, April 16, 2008.

WASHINGTON (8/26/09) – The National Coalition for Mental Health Recovery (NCMHR) deeply mourns the death of Senator Edward M. Kennedy, an ardent and lifelong champion of the rights of people with disabilities and of all Americans.

Sen. Kennedy understood to his very core the importance of involving all Americans – including people who are homeless, people living in poverty, people with physical and/or psychiatric disabilities, [Click to view press release...]

The Coalition received start-up funding from the Washington-based Public Welfare Foundation. The Coalition office is located at 1101 15th Street, NW #1212, Washington, DC 20005

For additional information, contact: Lauren Spiro, 877-246-9058 (Toll Free), or send email via our contact form.

Copyright © 2012, National Coalition for Mental Health Recovery, Inc. All rights reserved