School's in session!
In response to a few messages I've received from people wanting to learn more and figure out how to show up differently for loved ones with mental health challenges, here are a few resources that have been supportive on my journey. There are many more out there!
Madness Radio by Will Hall has an extensive catalog of interviews Outside Mental Health, which is the title of his book. The link below is an interview with Will, conducted by a therapist friend. I listened to this multiple times when it came out and often send it to friends who are curious for more.
https://www.madnessradio.net/rethinking-therapy-will-hall-and-ryan-hofrichter-madness-radio/Mad in America, founded by Robert Whitaker, who, among other things, wrote Anatomy of an Epidemic and was shortlisted for a Pulitzer Prize. His work exposes the flaws in the brain chemistry theory that most of us still take as truth to the underlying reason for some of our mental health challenges.
https://www.madinamerica.com/
The Icarus Project was a network of peer-support groups and media projects with the stated aim of changing the social stigmas surrounding mental health. It was the beginning of a peer-led movement in the U.S. .The archive marks the start of a reboot of this amazing movement.
https://icarusprojectarchive.org/The Fireweed Collective grew out of The Icarus Project. It offers mental health education and mutual aid through a healing and disability justice lens.
https://fireweedcollective.org/MindFreedom International is rooted in the psychiatric survivors movement, with a mission to protect the rights of people who have been labeled with psychiatric disorders.
https://mindfreedom.org/Peter Smith is a natural medicine doctor from the UK with whom I’ve worked. He’s figured out how to manage his Bipolar naturally and has many clients who’ve found his approach helpful. Bipolar is the language he prefers.
https://www.balancingbrainchemistry.co.uk/peter-smith/1/HOME.html
If Peter’s approach seems right for you and you are on medication, here’s a free link to The Harm Reduction Guide to Coming Off Psychiatric Drugs, created by The Icarus Project.
https://willhall.net/comingoffmeds/
Just to be clear, I am not anti-medication. It’s helpful for some, and thank goodness it’s there for those with more extreme trauma and manifestations. I am, however, anti-overuse of medication and the speed at which medication is prescribed.
The Institute for the Development of the Human Arts is at the cutting edge of transformational mental health, changing the paradigm of how we see and approach mental health challenges. I recently took the core curriculum, which I highly recommend, especially if you are a care provider. But it’s also equally supportive for those with lived experience.
https://www.idha-nyc.org/The International Society for Psychological and Social Approaches to Psychosis (ISPS) is an organization focused on promoting psychological and social treatments for individuals experiencing psychosis.
https://isps-us.org/
The Hearing Voices Network consists of peer-led groups for people who hear voices, have visions, experience extreme states, or have other mental health challenges. I was a regular for several years at my local HVN group. It was a significant turning point for me when I entered this space. Most groups are open to both people with lived experience and primary supporters.
https://www.hearingvoicesusa.org/
School’s in session! No grades—just the joy of learning and expanding one’s mind.
Much Love!
The Mad Preschool Teacher
He/Him