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The Consumer Movement
The consumer movement strives for dignity, respect, and opportunity for those diagnosed with mental health illnesses. Common themes are “talking back to the power of psychiatry”, rights protection, advocacy and self-determination. Self-help groups, peer-run services and consumer driven services have been created as a result of the movement. The movement is led by consumers, survivors, and ex-patients. Those associated with the movement are working together to make changes in the mental health system and in society. The movement has gone through many phases and changes. It started off with hostility towards the system but has evolved into a recovery model that encompasses everyone involved in caring for those with mental illness. Many aspects of the movement reflect those associated with peer support and self-help groups. The approach places emphasis on equality, shared experiences, and personal responsibility. There are several key components of the movement. One is fighting the stigma that comes with being diagnosed with mental illness. As a result of these stigmas, access to resources and opportunities are lost which leads to worsening of an already difficult situation. Full participation in society is no longer possible because of the views others hold. In order to overcome these stigmas, the second key concept of the movement comes into play: mutual support. Mutual support is the idea that individuals who have had similar experiences with problems, life situations, or crises can effectively provide help for each other. The movement holds the belief that these individuals can respond more readily to each other’s needs than traditional providers. A third key concept goes hand in hand with the idea of mutual support; that is the idea of taking personal responsibility for treatment and recovery. In doing this, both personal and societal changes can be made. Mental health consumers can offer each other support based on first hand experiences with issues such as medication, over-medication, social security disability, housing, employment, human services agencies, families and friends, neglect, and many others. The movement has created a community in which members can reach out to each other and make those vital connections needed to recover. Emotional supports, friendships, individual advocacy, information about the mental health system, and ways to improve that system are provided. The movement is meant to help consumers, survivors, and ex-patients realize we are not alone, to provide support that may not otherwise be available, create a safe place for self-disclosure, and give the opportunity to take personal responsibility and control over treatment creating a sense of competence. The consumer movement is improving the mental health system and in turn is improving the lives of those of us struggling with our own mental well being. This movement is an effort to bring us all together.
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